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In 2012 seven schoolgirls who led a campaign against dawn raids on asylum seekers became the inspiration for a new musical from the National Theatre of Scotland.

The Glasgow Girls - as they became known - took on the Home Office and the Scottish government about the way failed asylum seekers were treated.

Most teenagers are into music. Few take on the government. But the musical combined both.

Its inspiration is the true story of seven Glasgow teenagers, who were at school together in Drumchapel.

Spurred on by the possible deportation of one of their friends, the girls began campaigning.

Their story went on to inspire a film.

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Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says the theme of this year's International Women's Day is Press for Progress.

Ms Constance asks what does it feel like, a century on from some women getting the vote, to grow up as a girl in Scotland today.

She praise women and girls who campaign for equality and says they want it now, not in a 100 years.

The cabinet secretary highlights the attitudes survey from Girlguiding UK.

Image source, Reuters

You might have seen International Women's Day mentioned in the media or heard friends talking about it. But what is it for? When is it? Is it a celebration or a protest? And is there an equivalent International Men's Day?

For more than a century people around the world have been marking this day.

International Women's Day grew out of the labour movement to become a UN-recognised annual event. It is on the 8 March every year.

It was first celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary was celebrated in 2011, so this year we're technically celebrating the 107th International Women's Day.

This year, International Women's Day has taken on the theme #PressForProgress.

Read more here.

Image source, Andrew Cowan

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to a debate marking International Women's Day - which is today!

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Talk about breaking the glass ceiling the equalities secretary just broke a glass glass.

Sandra White says the SPCB discussed the matter at its latest meeting on 22 February, where it was agreed an exchange of views with the fund trustees would be organised for March.

Mr Finnie says the trustees should consult with members of the pension scheme to consider ethical investment and whether to divest from arms, tobacco and fossil fuel industries.

Ms White says she will relay these issues to the trustees and recommends he speaks to the member of his party on the trustee board.

Green MSP John Finnie asks about updating the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme’s investment strategy and statement of investment principles.

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Ms Dugdale commneds Monica Lennon for her work in this area.

The Labour MSP says the SPCB recognises the excellent work of the parliament's womens network on this issue.

Ms Lennon says the women's network have done an excellent job with its honesty box luanched last year.

She asks if there has been costings for the provision of sanitary products at Holyrood.

Ms Dugdale says the costs have been looked at and a decison will be taken on this in the future.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon wonders about plans to make sanitary products freely available in the Parliament for staff and visitors.

"Well, here I am, I spent long enough trying to get this seat!" jokes the SPCB's newest member Kezia Dugdale.

Turning to the questions, she says the use of the parliament creche is closely monitored, gathering information on length of stay, age of children and why people use it.

Labour MSP Mary Fee queries the information collected on the use of the parliament's creche and whether there has been any analysis of it.

Members will quiz the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Image source, bbc

Intertnational Women's Day is celebrated around the world, as well as at Holyrood from 2.30pm.

After SPCB questions the chamber is given over to a celebration and debate of International Women's Day 2018.

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