Hope you received a copy of our election 'manifesto'  Politics in your Pocket last week - please let us know if you want more sent out for work or friends.  See Politics in your Pocket here

Thanks to everyone who responded to our recent membership survey to find out what members thought about our policy priorities for this year.  The chart above shows gives a clear picture of what you think we should be doing.  High level results have been posted on the Members Area of our website (please get in touch if you need a reminder of how to access this area) or see see the results here.

MSP Sandra White has put forward an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament which would tighten the regulation of Lap Dancing clubs and other adult entertainment venues.  If passed the amendment would mean that local authorities could apply a specific licensing regime to adult entertainment venues, including by limiting the number of premises in the local authority area that are permitted to provide adult entertainment.  See the full amendment here and Engender's submission to the Government in support here.

Engender supported the amendment submitted by MSP Trish Godman to the same Bill which would have criminalised the buyers of sex (see here).  This amendment was defeated by 5 votes to 3 earlier this month.

In our Spring Newsletter we included a letter in support of Gita Saghal, the Head of  the Gender Unit  at Amnesty International, who had been suspended for questioning Amnestys links to the organisaton Cageprisoners. (see here for background.)  Gita Sagahl has now left Amnesty and has issued a statement reiterating her position. Read the statement

The Women's National Commission are issuing fantastic regular round-ups of gender news from the EU and UN.  We're posting these on our European and International - seehere

Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh are offering a new course in Gender and Social Justice in conjunction with Scottish Women's Aid.  Applications are encouraged from individuals without a degree but who have experience of professional or voluntary work or activism in gender justice, equal opportunities, violence against women or related social justice issues.  See here for details

Remember to check our events and training page for...... events and training!