MORE than 200 women’s rights supporters from across Scotland gathered at the weekend for the sixth Alloa Women’s Festival.

With the slogan “Women Uniting to Protect Our Rights,” the event brought together campaigners inside and outside Parliament to enjoy a day-long celebration of grassroots feminist struggles.

Organiser Ali Muirhead credited attendees for making the event a success.

“It’s the women who come to Alloa who make the magic happen,” she said.

Key issues in focus included justice for survivors of domestic abuse, rape and forced adoption, as well as the campaign to decriminalise women involved in prostitution.

Campaigning journalist Marion Scott spoke of the ongoing battles for justice in her fight alongside Denise Claire, who won the first civil rape case against footballer David Goodwillie, and the parents of Demi Hannaway, whose death — linked to domestic violence — was mishandled by Police Scotland.

MSP Pam Gosal — one of only two women of colour in the Scottish Parliament — joined a cross-party panel of current and former politicians who shared experiences of discrimination and bullying in their parliamentary workplace for standing up for women’s rights.

Independent MP Rosie Duffield, who recently left Labour, thanked the Morning Star for its coverage of women’s rights.

She said: “I’ve been labelled a Reform, right-wing woman. But I’d rather chew glass than join Reform.” 

Former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: “The problem is we are represented by politicians who shrug their shoulders at policies that exacerbate harm and abuse towards the most vulnerable people.

“They don’t say anything because they think it doesn’t matter. Well, if you leave a vacuum, the right will rush in.

“You can’t stand by and let that happen and then complain when it does.

“Politicians need a reality check about what women will put up with. The reason the [Sandie] Peggie case had an impact is because this does matter to ordinary people.”