Oban marks International Women’s Day at event
DISCUSSION, poetry, music and food were part of an International Women’s Day celebration at Oban’s Rockfield Community Centre.
Women and men from all walks of life joined in the event on Sunday.
The day started off with political discussion followed by lunch and an open-mic afternoon of entertainment including music, poetry and tribute covers of female singers. A children’s play corner was a big hit with youngsters.
Rockfield Community Centre’s creative support worker Kirsty Macdonald said the day was a huge success.
‘We did it last year, but it’s much bigger this year. We started with a discussion with input from a panel of local activists and looked at what barriers there might be in the community to stop women from playing a part in shaping and influencing what happens.
‘It seems making meals and looking after the children can still be among those barriers, which is why we had a shared lunch and made sure people knew they were welcome to bring their children along! We had about 20 people come to the morning session with more joining us for the afternoon,’ she said.
Oban North and Lorn councillor Elaine Robertson was at the event – but women still make up less than one third of all Argyll and Bute councillors, pointed out Ms Macdonald.