A KEY Scottish independence network for female activists who are part of the Yes movement is set to relaunch with a day of action.
Women for Independence (WFI) are to partner with Believe in Scotland (BiS) for a campaign day and leaflet launch after a period of restructuring.
The groups will take to the streets of Prestwick to mark International Women's Day and the relaunch on Saturday, March 9.
Activists plan to hold a stall in the town centre, deliver the new women focused leaflets and run a litter pick.
WFI — launched during the independence referendum campaign to counteract the equivalent group by Better Together which has now dissolved — are preparing to hold an annual general meeting to elect new leadership and create an update manifesto. All female activists are encouraged to attend.
Executive committee member Fatima Joji said: "Big plans are in place to ensure that over 50% of the population — women — clearly see how they will be better off in an independent Scotland.
"We campaign on a wide range of issues, many of which disproportionately affect women and need to be highlighted in the mainstream media and pro-independence debate."
Joji (above) said it was essential that women are at the forefront of the Scottish independence movement, whether through grassroots activism or frontline politics, adding: "If we leave behind half of the population, we cannot expect to achieve more than half of the result."
"Independence will happen. It is not a matter of if, but when, and that when needs to come soon, with the support in place to vote for it," Joji said.
Executive committee member Zara Pennington echoed this call, adding it was time WFI reconfirmed their role as a grassroots organisation especially as far-right populism grows.
"Founded in 2012, Women for Independence emerged as a movement to amplify women’s voices in Scotland’s push for independence. However, its mission has grown far beyond constitutional politics," Pennington said.
"Today, WFI stands up for human-rights and actively rejects the kind of far-right populism currently being displayed by the Trump administration in the United States.
"As an organisation, WFI is deeply committed to challenging structural inequalities, promoting and protecting the rights of all women, and removing barriers to the participation of women in public and political life."
All the details of the campaign day are here. Activists have been asked to gather at the 65 Club in Prestwick at 10:30am to get set up and ready to go. The groups will set off at 11am.
