Campaign aims to get more young women involved in politics

Young women less likely to vote and their opinions are not always represented, says Megan Maclean

The Scottish Parliament elections are taking place on Thursday, May 6 giving all young women and girls over the age of 16 the opportunity to vote. For many young people it will be their first-time taking part in democracy.

Voting in elections is very important because it means everyone’s voice can be heard. Every vote counts in an election. But young people, particularly young women, are less likely to vote, meaning their opinions and views are not always represented.

Girlguiding Scotland’s, Girls in Scotland 2020 report, found 62 per cent of girls and young women think there needs to be more opportunities for young people to get involved in politics.

That’s why we’ve been encouraging Girlguiding Scotland members to use their vote on May 6, but there is still

more work to do. In the same study, 60 per cent of 11 to 21 year-old girls and young women believe more needs to bed one to make politics equal for men and women. as a girl guiding scotland Speak Out champion, I’m passionate about making this change a reality.

To celebrate Vote 100 and the Year of Young People 2018 we launched a new campaign and interactive resource – Citizen Girl.

This resource em powers girls to discover why their voice matters and how they can make change and learn about the political process, representation and equality with fun, hands-on challenges like building their own edible parliament, creating their own superheroes and holding their own Citizen Girl Summits.

We encourage girls and young women to see themselves as leaders and

empower them to take action on the issues that matter to them.

It’s especially important for young women to use their vote so that they canhaveasayintheissuesthatimpact theirlivesandfutures.bycastingavote inanelection,changecanbemadeand an inclusive agenda can be reached.

Voting for the first time in elections can seem very daunting but it’s also really empowering.

It may seem hard to make an informed decision on a candidate or politicalpartyandmanyyoungpeople may also feel obligated to vote for who their parents, guardian or friends vote for. It’s also completely normal to not knowwhotovotefor.justbecauseyour friendsandfamilyknowwhotheywill vote for doesn’t mean you have to rush topickapartytovotefororpickaparty that is the ‘most popular’.

We want all young people to know thattheirvoteistheirdecisiontomake and it doesn’t need to be shared.

There are lots of ways young people can find out more information when thinking about who they want to represent them.

Reading the manifestos of the different political parties, watching TV debates and flicking through the campaign leaflets that come through your door are all great ways to help get informed about the key issues a candidatestandsfor.manypoliticalcandidates also have an online presencesoit’sagoodideatofindthem on social media and see how they present themselves.

My message to young people this election? Voting isn’t about winners or losers – it’s about making sure everyone’s voice is heard andourparliamentreflectsthatas much as possible.

Megan Maclean, Girlguiding Scotland Speak Out champion