Image source, MOD

Only one in 10 members of the UK's armed forces is a woman - as is the case with many of its allies. But could it be that more female soldiers would not only ease a recruitment crisis, but also make the forces stronger?

At the height of the war in Afghanistan, coalition forces were at risk of being unable to gather vital information and intelligence from women in the towns and villages where they were operating.

A solution came from female soldiers, who were sent into these communities as engagement teams- talking to local women who were unlikely to speak to their male colleagues.

It was only one example of the benefits that diversity in the armed forces can bring.

Read more here.

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Earlier this year, the RAF became the first service to open all roles to women, external, when it extended the right to apply for its ground fighting force - the RAF Regiment.

It will be followed in 2018 by the Navy, when it opens applications for the Royal Marine Commandos to women.

Image source, bBC

Next year will also see the Army finish opening up all its roles to female recruits, a move which follows the lifting of the ban on women taking part in ground close combat and will bring the UK in line with many of its closest allies.

Only last year, three out of 10 Army positions were closed to women.

Read more here.

Image source, Royal British Legion

Cllck here for a fantastic history of Women at War 100 from the Royal British Legion., external

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Image source, LENNY WARREN

Relatives of Elsie Inglis gathered in Edinburgh to mark the 100th anniversary of her death.

The pioneering doctor is credited with saving thousands of lives after setting up 17 Scottish Women's Hospitals across Europe during World War One.

Inglis carried out her work despite knowing she was suffering from cancer and succumbed to the disease in 1917.

Her family attended a commemorative wreath laying ceremony at her graveside in Dean Cemetery.

They were joined by Scotland's Health Secretary Shona Robison, Lord Provost Frank Ross and Captain Slobodan Novaković, Defence Attaché at the Embassy for Serbia in London.

Inglis, who was born to a wealthy family in 1864, made a name for herself after establishing maternity services for poor women in her home city.

When the war began in 1914, she wanted to work on the frontline,but was told by the War Office that women were not allowed.However, Britain's allies allowed her to help and she used the opportunity to set up 17 Scottish Women's Hospitals for injured soldiers across Europe

Image source, Robert Wilson/SSAFA

The Armed Forces charity SSAFA, external has marked the anniversary with a photo shoot.

Both Sara (sitting front and centre right) and Lynsey (sitting far right) are pictured.

The 12 women photographed include the first woman to kill in combat, the highest-ranking woman in the British Army and the first transgender woman to serve.

Olympic gold medallists Dame Kelly Holmes, who began in the army as a lorry driver, and Heather Stanning OBE, a former major in the Royal Artillery, also feature.

Image source, Legion Scotland

From the Legion Scotland website, external:

"Since 1921 we have stood for and provided support to veterans and their families.

"When servicemen and women return to civilian life after serving with the Armed Forces some are in need of community and friendship, maybe as a result of their experiences in the services or purely because they are no longer part of the ‘military family’ they had come to rely.

"We make a difference every day to the lives of those veterans through our comradeship and befriending programme, developing strong communities and supporting remembrance.

"Our large family network is spread across Scotland and helps support veterans and their families to get on with their lives and assists those who require assistance."

It is worth noting Legion Scotland is a seperate charity from the Royal British Legion.

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald says the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps began because so many women were willing to fight for Britain during the first world war.

Until then, women were only allowed to be nurses, he notes.

The Corps was established following a "major manpower shortage", Mr Macdonald says, noting initially it was meant to be a temporary force.

He says the Corps was disbanded in 1920 and did not reform until 20 years later for the second world war.

Image source, bbc

Accrding to Women in Scotland, external:

Mona Chalmers Watson was one of the first women to qualify as a doctor from Edinburgh University (MB CM 1896 and MD 1898)

Dr Watson was an ative suffragis and supporter of various causes including the Elsie Inglis Memorial Hospital which opened in Spring Gardens, Edinburgh in 1925.

She was the:

• first head of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (1917)
• first president of the Edinburgh Women Citizens' Association (1918)

Tory MSP Maurice Corry says it is an honour to bring this debate to the chamber.

He welcomes guests from the armed forces sitting in the gallery.

Introducing the phrase "wonderful women and their flying machines", Mr Corry says the bravery of women in the auxiliary air force during world war two played an important role in the outcome.

Mona Chalmers Watson is discussed, who was a Scottish physician and head of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry will now lead a debate celebrating 100 years of women in the Briish armed forces, saying women form a valued and integral part of the British Armed Forces;

Image source, YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM

Mr Corry uses his motion to highlight:

• 2017 is the centenary of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), which was the first time that women were formally fully enrolled in the armed forces
• 57,000 women served in the WAAC from July 1917 till 192
• this included some 10,000 in France in a variety of roles,
• the earliest advocates for the creation of the WAAC, and also the corps' first chief controller and controller, were the Scots, Mona Geddes and Helen Fraser
• since September 2017, every role in the Royal Air Force is now open to women
• there are views that other military branches should follow suit

Tory MSP Maurice Corry requests a short adjournment to allow members of the armed forces to join the gallery and the deputy presiding officer agrees.

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That concludes first minister's questions.

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Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne asks how perceptions of childcare and early years jobs can be changed.

The first minister says the recruitment campain focuses on the need for greater diversity and the underrepresentation of men is a long standing issue.

Ms Sturgeon says this is all part of tackling the occupational segregation issues.

Image source, Getty Images

Men, ethnic minority candidates and older staff could be the answer to fulfilling a pledge to double free childcare hours.

An estimated 11,000 workers are needed to meet the Scottish government's flagship policy.

Funded nursery places for eligible two-year-olds as well as all three and four-year-olds will rise from 600 hours a year to 1,140 hours a year by 2020.

The government said a broader approach to recruitment was a priority.

Read more.

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Lib Dems MSP Tavish Scott queries action to increase and improve diversity in the early learning and childcare workforce.

Ms Sturgeon says ensuring a high quality workforce is key.

She says phase one of the recruitment campaign has been launched.

Mr Scott says the first minister's own skills agency said the work on recruitment is not enough.

The first minister says the policy is on track and there is a high take up of three and four year olds.

She accepts there needs to be an improvement in the take up of two year olds.

"We want to see a greater diversity."

It is equally important to encourage more men into nurseries, she says.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Liam Kerr claims the justice secretary booked an eight person meeting room for two hours to discuss Chief Constable Phil Gormley with then SPA chair Andrew Flanagan.

Nicola Sturgeon says the meeting took place in Mr Matheson's office and that she therefore does not know what Mr Kerr is talking about.

She adds that she would be happy to answer: "If Mr Kerr wants to come back to the chamber and ask a coherent question I can actually understand".