Choosing a topic
The 2017/18 participants were a diverse group geographically and culturally, but all united in their desire to change things, and improve the lives of other young women growing up in Scotland. In the year of the #MeToo movement, their chosen topic of inquiry, sexual harassment in schools, looked at their local communities and lived experiences. The young women recognised that this behaviour is often intersectional and incorporates racism, disablism and homophobia.
The process
- 16/17 February – Participant Training
- 9 March – 1st Committee Meeting
- 20 April – 2nd Committee Meeting
- 18 May – 3rd Committee Meeting
- 31 May – Report Launch
- 30 June – Graduation
Committee meetings were chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani, with participants taking evidence and questioning Scottish Government officials. Participants carried out engagement work across Scotland, leading focus groups and running an online campaign and survey, analysing the data to create focused solutions. Over the course of their inquiry, they came up with innovative ideas to eliminate bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools, ranging from providing safe spaces to additional training for teachers and ensuring an inclusive approach recognising different needs for different groups. The final report was presented to the Scottish Government. The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education committed to ‘engage seriously on the contents of its report.’
Watch the committee meetings here:
Feedback
The participants themselves spoke highly of their personal outcomes from involvement in the programme, including: gaining confidence to try a new career; raising issues with MSPs and setting up a support network for other young women. The group remain involved in the work of both Young Women Lead and the Scottish Parliament, and are in regular contact through a social media group where they have created a positive and supportive peer network.
Participants
Convener of the Young Women Lead Committee: Linda Fabiani MSP – Deputy Presiding Officer
| Esme Leitch |
Alexandra Ramsay |
Iona Wilson |
| Hailey Maxwell |
Erin Mwembo |
Ruth Boyle |
| Hannah Forsyth |
Gabrielle Blackburn |
Jane Morrison |
| Audrey Elisabeth |
Katie Williams |
Katie Tweedie |
| Zoë Tupling |
Fariha Saeed |
Lisa Clark |
| Catriona Carter |
Naziyah Mahmood |
Michelle Fisher |
| Mina Baird |
Elena Soper |
Sara Preston |
| Emily Davis |
Alexandra Stevens |
Naomi Munn |
| Ava Harrison |
Martha Barr |
Parliamentary staff
- Hayley Forrester – Project Lead
- Rachel Edwards – Clerk of the Young Women Lead Committee
- Gillian Baxendine – Senior Managment Support
- Gerry McGuire/Hannah Glen – Social media Officer
- Linda Peters – Media Relations Officer
- Suzie Macpherson – Resourcer
- Leanne Smith – Administrator
YWCA staff
- Jemma Tracey – Programme Co-ordinator
- Tomiwa Folorunso – Programme Intern
Publications
Main report – click on the cover below
Other documents