Scottish Women's Convention

The SWC exists to make sure that women's voices are heard at all levels of policy and decision making. Get involved! Visit our website for more information.

[Linthouse Hsg Assoc @LinthouseHA]

Every year @scotgov outlines key policy actions for the coming year and to ensure these policies reflect the needs of women in Scotland, @SWCwomen are hosting online roundtable discussions: https://t.co/v4n5dpMSag

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

@HomeStartPK Thank you hope to see you there.

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

@aniyimcy5 Thanks for joining us 💜

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

The women are now taking the floor to ask our panel questions, so far we’ve covered midwifery recruitment, trauma-informed care, and cross-sector relationships.

#SWCMaternity25

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Rosie ends with a powerful quote:

“Everyone wants to hold the baby but who wants to hold the mother”

#SWCMaternity25 (3/3)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Final speaker, Rosie Kennedy, is CEO of Nurture the Borders SCIO.

Rosie shares her personal experience of struggling with mental health as a new mother, which led her to train as a perinatal mental health specialist and co-found the charity. (1/3)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

She stresses the need to truly listen to women and involve them in their maternity care, while also addressing the stigma around mental health as a barrier to better outcomes. (2/3)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

“Black, African, Caribbean and other minoritised women are more likely to have caesarean sections, have poorer maternity outcomes. This is not random; it is structural. Structural racism is a determinant of maternal health outcomes.”

#SWCMaternity25 (4/4)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Third speaker is Dr Okolo, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Scotland.

Dr Okolo begins by providing a lived example of the discrimination ethnic minority women face when accessing maternity care in Scotland. (1/4)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Dr Okolo provides multiple solutions, the need for an intersectional lens to be taken throughout service design, alongside improvements to relationship building. She also focuses on the need for targeted resourcing, allowing for a preventative approach to be taken.

(3/4)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

“In the last 10 years we have not seen an effective increase in midwives, but have seen the impacts of austerity, creating a deficit in care levels.”

#SWCMaternity25 #WomensHealth #WomensVoices (2/2)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Second speaker is @JakiLambert County Director of the Royal College of Midwives, stresses the vital role of midwives in healthy outcomes but highlights they’re often undervalued and under-resourced.

She calls for better staffing, investment, and maternity care assistants. (1/2)

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

First Speaker @CMochan highlights the need for women’s voices in healthcare policy.

She talks about how many women have raised concern over Rural Maternity and the need to retain local services.
“Local care must go hand in hand with quality care.”

#SWCMaternity25 #WomensVoices

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

We’re opening #SWCMaternity25 with Mary Ewen, SWC board member, who reflects on her 45-year midwifery career and the importance of highlighting women’s maternity experiences.

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Agnes Tolmie, SWC Chair adds, “I am so saddened by this news. Christina was a true friend of the women’s movement in Scotland. Her Trades Union background was reflected in her passion for equalities.”

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

All at the SWC are sorry to hear of the loss of an incredible ally and friend, Scottish Government Minister Christina McKelvie. Christina was resolute in her commitment to women’s rights and equality, and she will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends.

[Scottish Women's Convention @SWCwomen]

Today we are at the Glasgow Women’s Health Network event at the Pearce Institute! Pop by and see us from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

#GlasgowWomensHealth #NetworkingEvent #Community

[Scottish Government Finance and Economy @scotgoveconomy]

Deputy First Minister @_KateForbes spoke at @SWCwomen's @scotparl event to mark International Women's Day #IWD2025

She reaffirmed @scotgov's commitment to ensuring women in Scotland and around the world live in peace, free from discrimination and inequality.

📷 @kirstycanderson

[Kate Johnston @KateJohnston3]

@_KateForbes Thank you to all the wonderful women I spoke to. Loved hearing your stories Thank you to @SWCwomen for letting me attend! It was also online. Thank you to @susanquinn1 and the staff with the choir and secondary pupils.