‘Listen to women’ regarding abortion buffer zones urges First Minister
The First Minister has told one of his own MSPS to “listen to women” on plans to bring in abortion buffer zones.
Shettleston MSP John Mason has been outspoken in his opposition to the proposals, which would ban protests and vigils from being outside of abortion clinics in Scotland.
At First Minister's Questions yesterday, the MSP questioned if legislation was necessary.
“Would the First Minister not accept that no one is being harassed at these vigils or protests, no one is being intimidated, it is largely a small group of elderly, religious people standing at these facilities,” he said. “And does he not think that we are slightly overreacting with legislation on this?”
Responding, the First Minister said he did not agree with Mr Mason’s statement.
“I think what’s so important on this matter, particularly I have to say for men, is to listen to the voices of women,” he said. “And women tell us, and have given very powerful evidence and testimony, that whatever John Mason’s view may be, they feel that harm is being done. They do feel harassed, they do feel intimidation.
Mr Yousaf, who is fasting for Ramadan, said: “John Mason knows that I’m a religious person myself, I pray. “You can pray anywhere, wherever you want – why you have to go to an abortion service, where women then feel harassed and intimidated, I have to say I do not understand.”
The Bill, put forward by Green MSP Gillian Mackay, is one that should be supported by the whole Parliament, the First Minister said.
You can pray anywhere – why at an abortion service, I do not understand