Scottish Women's Aid Banner

On12th March we celebrated the 30^th Anniversary of Ross-shire Women’s Aid and the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s Day.

The day started with a parade up the High Street in Dingwall with our new banner designed adn decorated by women who use our services.  This was  followed by a series of activities in the Town Hall. Including a performance of Jackies Story.

At the event we highlighted the purpose of International Women’s day and celebrated the achievements of women.  Whilst International Women’s Day is a day of celebration, it’s also a rallying cry. It’s a time to ask ourselves big, important questions about how a woman’s life really compares to that of a man’s. And not just here; but all around the world. Because although impressive life-changing advances have been made since that momentous day in 1911, there’s still quite a way to go:

• Women are more likely to earn less than male counterparts
• Women are more likely to be in low paid work
• Women are more likely to live in poverty at all times in their lives, but particularly in old age
• Women still take on the bulk of upaid work caring for elderly relatives, children etc
• Men out number Women 4 to 1 at Westminster
• Men make up 90% of directors in FTSE 100 companies
• Violence against Women blights the lives of many, 2 women are murdered by their partner every week in the UK

‘When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life’ – Kofi Annan

At the start of the parade on 12th March to celebrate 30 years of RWA