Women’s group to be launched

A new group set up to support women is holding its launch meeting this Thursday in Kirkcaldy.

Women Together in Fife (or WTF for short) has been set up by local activists Marie Penman and Maureen Closs.

The pair say they want to combat the undermining and misrepresentation of women in society.

The group has already been in action, staging a protest against the opening of a new lapdancing club, Sin, in Kirkcaldy last month, which attracted about 50 supporters.

Mrs Penman said: “This is the 21st Century and I honestly thought we’d moved on from the days when women were seen purely as sexual objects, here to give men pleasure.

“As a group, we plan to campaign against women’s inequality in society, from unequal pay to sexual harassment on the street.”

The idea of a women’s group has been discussed in Kirkcaldy for some time, usually at the public events held to celebrate International Women’s Day every March.

Ms Closs said the opening of the strip club had spurred locals into action.

“This group is not about hating men or blaming them for everything that is wrong,” she said.

“It’s about supporting and encouraging women to stand up for themselves in society.”

Thursday’s meeting will be in the St Clair Tavern in Kirkcaldy, starting at 7pm.