In association with our Women into Public Life project, Engender are holding an event at this years Festival of Politics. 'Has the time come for quotas' is a chance to hear the arguments for and against the use of equality measures and to have your say.  The event is chaired by Dr Fiona MacKay and our speakers are Nan Sloane (Centre for Women and Democracy), Sarah Boyack MSP, Clare Adamson MSP and Katy Gordon. 

Thursday 25th August, 11am (12pm) in the Scottish Parliament, rm P1.02.

For tickets for this free event see www.festivalofpolitics.co.uk    

The UN committee monitoring compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has held it's 49th Session at which took reports from eight countries - Costa Rica, Djibouti, Ehtiopia, Italy, Nepal, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Zambia.  The committee found that while some legal reforms to improve gender equality had taken place conservative attitudes which impact on the advancement of women's lives remain.   Read more...     

The  Advertising Standards Authority decision to ban the L'Oreal ad featuring a heavily airbrushed Julia Roberts has received a lot of coverage.  The European Women's Lobby reported the ASA judgement in full and reminded us of the work they had done with the cosmetics industry, including a powerful presentation which makes the cases for regulation or self-regulation of the industry.   Read more...    

Wired reports that since March 31% of new board members have been women.  With the number of all male boards in the FTSE 100 dropping from 21 to 14 since October could it be that the 'threat' to introduce quotas contained in Lord Davies recent report is having this effect?  Read more....

Rape Crisis Scotland are putting together a book which will bring together phrases and reassurances which have proved comforting as a resource for survivors of sexual abuse.  If you would like to contribute any quotes or words that have helped you please see here 

Object are taking the enquiry into press ethics announced in the wake of the phone hacking scandal as the opportunity to raise the issue of the representation of women in the press and in particular are calling for an end to page 3.  Support the campaign by sending a message to your MP - see here   

Dream Pill is a play about two 9 year old girls sex trafficked into the UK.  The show runs from 4th-28th August, 4.05pm at the Underbelly, Cowgate.  The theatre company, Clean Break, have kindly offered Engender members a 2 for 1 offer for the first weekend (6th and 7th).  Please contact Underbelly box office on 0844 545 8252 or in person and quote 'Dream Pill 218 2 for 1 offer' .  See full details

Artist Tamsyn Challenger presents 400 Women, a large scale conceptual piece addressing global violence against women and the murders of women and girls in the Mexican town of Ciudad Juarez in particular. 

4th Aug - 4th Sept, Canongate Venture, 5 New Street, Edinburgh

Read more...  

Scottish Women's Convention Roadshows:

22nd August - Waterside Hotel, Inverness

23rd August - Pentland Hotel, Thurso

24th August - Assembly Rooms, Wick

See here for more details

Scottish Women's Aid Conference - 14th Sept, Edinburgh.  See here for more details 

Centre for Research on Relationships and Families - Migration and Relationships Seminar - 24th-25th October, Inverness. See full details here