The world takes note

Local MSP and First Minister make top ten list of women who helped effect change in 2020

Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon is in good company after being named one of Vogue’s top 12 female leaders who changed the world in 2020.

The Labour politician made history through her period poverty campaign and now rubs shoulders with the likes of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and US Vice-president Elect Kamala Harris on the magazine’s prestigious list.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are also among the big-hitters on the honours lists that includes Lennon.

The Scottish duo claimed a joint number ten spot on Vogue’s list, which highlights female leaders who offer a glimpse of how to make progress under difficult circumstances.

Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products freely available as the bill was passed in Scottish Parliament last month.

Ms Lennon was delighted to be recognised for her accomplishments in putting forward the bill in Holyrood.

She said: “The Period Products Bill will ensure that no one in Scotland has to face the indignity of period poverty ever again.

“It is already influencing politicians and campaigners around the world and I am thrilled to be collaborating with many of them.”

Despite the success of the bill in Scotland, Ms Lennon added: “We still have a long way to go to achieve equality for all women and girls, but it is humbling that the free period products legislation has been recognised as an important part of that journey.

“Very few MSPS have been able to get a member’s bill passed and whilst it wasn’t easy, I am pleased that the Scottish

Government and all parties in Parliament were persuaded it was the right thing to do.”

Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Lennon, 39, shared the spot on Vogue’s list alongside Scotland’s First Minister. Vogue paid tribute to Lennon championing against period poverty, recognising that the pioneering legislation hopes to set an example across the world. They said: “Advocates hope that the example of Scotland will help erase the cultural stigma around menstruating and ensure that more women and girls across the world can achieve their potential.”

While Ardern took the top spot – thanks to her handling of the Covid-19 crisis in her country and also selecting New Zealand’s diverse Cabinet – Ms Merkel was runner-up for taking in almost 3000 refugees, prompting other EU nations to do the same.

Lennon and Sturgeon pipped Finnish PM Sanna Marin and Ecuador’s Waorani indigenous leader Nemonte Nenquimo into the top 10.

While Ardern and Merkel took the top two spots, third place was claimed by women’s rights advocates Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi of Nigeria.

Harris was fourth followed by Georgia state house minority leader Stacey Abrams.

Sixth was Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at University of Oxford and co-founder of Vaccitech.

Polish author and political activist Klementyna Suchanow was seventh, followed by Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler in the Philippines, then political activist Bilkis Dadi of India. Mo re information on the Period Poverty Bill and the campaign is available by logging on to www. periodpoverty. scot