Campaigners highlight discrimination against working and pregnant women

Women are marching through Glasgow today (31 October) demanding improved conditions for working mothers.

They are also demanding an end to maternity discrimination.

The March of the Mummies, organised by Pregnant Then Screwed, kicks off at noon from the city’s George Square.

The group wants to increase the time limit to raise a tribunal claim from three months to (at least) six months.

It also wants companies to report on how many flexible working requests are made and how many are granted.

They are asking that both parents are given access to six weeks non-transferable parental leave paid at 90% of salary.

There is also a call to give the self-employed access to statutory shared parental pay and to subsidise childcare from six months old, rather than three years.

Speakers will include Amy Nicolson, who is representing disadvantaged migrant mothers, Lisa Gallagher, of Working Families Scotland and Scott McFarlane, who is talking about the fathers’ perspective.

Attending will be Scottish Mothers Collective, Drumchapel Women’s Aid, Gymboree Southside, Mini Manovers, Glasgow Women’s Aid and the Wee Guys Café will host an after-party event.

Hayleigh Jarett, Glasgow Pregnant Then Screwed lead, said: “Throughout social media, we have had such terrific support for the march, and we’ve heard from so many women who have suffered maternity discrimination and are relieved that we are speaking up to end it.”

Katie Easton, Glasgow Pregnant Then Screwed lead, added: “There is an energy behind us, it’s going to be a great day. It’s just a shame that we are doing it all in the name of maternity discrimination, something that we shouldn’t have to be marching for in this day and age.”

The march will take place at the same time as others across the UK including events in London, Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester and Newcastle

The event kicks off at noon.