2018 marks a century since some women were given the right to vote: the first step towards women’s participation in formal political decision making. There is still much to be done! One hundred years on from that act of civic participation by women, I have had the privilege of convening a special kind of Committee meeting in the Scottish Parliament. Made up of 32 women under 30, the Young Women Lead Committee is a partnership between YWCA Scotland – The Young Women’s Movement and our Parliament. The aim is to empower young women living in Scotland to engage with politics.

The women who make up the Committee are a diverse group: geographically and culturally. They are all united though in their desire to change things, and improve the lives of other young women growing up in Scotland. In this year of the #MeToo movement, the group chose to run an inquiry into sexual harassment in schools. They’ve taken evidence from their peers and communities through focus groups, questionnaires and social media. The members of the Young Women Lead Committee are determined that it won’t be a century before things change for young women like them. This report and its recommendations are their first step, and I am sure there will be many more accomplishments from this inspiring group – Young Women Lead.