Scottish Convention of Women
Biography
The origins of the Scottish Convention of Women go back to a meeting on 10 September 1974 in Edinburgh organised by Maidie Hart, Scottish representative on the government appointed co-ordinating committee for the organisation of events to celebrate [United Nations] International Women's Year, 1975. The Convention, established formally in February 1977, grew initially from the need to organise a Scottish component for the activities of International Women's Year, 1975, and the succeeding UN Decade for Women to embrace representatives of many Scottish women's organisations, groups and individuals. Activities have ramified into involvement with many issues of concern to Scottish women, for example: preparation of a 'Scottish plan of action for women'; organisation of conventions (biennial) and short conferences on equal opportunities, health and other social, economic and legal questions; and the preparation of submissions or responses to government and to official bodies on similar issues.