International Women’s Day

Katrina Murray Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Katrina Murray (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) (Lab)]

It gives me great pleasure and pride to contribute to the debate. I have only been here 18 months, but this is one of my favourite debates in the Chamber because it gives us the privilege of listening to experiences from across the House and recognising women who make a difference in everybody’s local communities and globally. It is always inspiring.

It also gives me great pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Aberdeen North (Kirsty Blackman). In a conversation that we had earlier this week, I uttered the phrase, “In this place, we cross paths more often than we cross swords”—proverbial, verbal, swords, not physical ones; I will leave those to the Serjeant at Arms. While we are here as women, and this is the most diverse Parliament that there has ever been, we are not homogeneous. We all bring different things to this place, including different perspectives, and this Parliament is stronger for it. That is why I also feel really privileged to have heard the maiden speech of the hon. Member for Gorton and Denton (Hannah Spencer). I welcome what she brings to this place, and welcome her to her place.

As has been said, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Give to Gain”, but there is also the UN theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women”. It reminds us that we must never accept that the work is done. We must never forget that what advances we have made can still be lost. There are still far too many women and girls across the world who do not have rights, cannot access justice and are denied education, healthcare and financial independence.

In the short time available to me, I want to highlight some of the women in my constituency of Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch who embody that theme—women who work every day for the rights, wellbeing and opportunities of others; women like Linda, Lorna, Christine and all the women at Tony’s Safe Place, an organisation that was founded four years ago today to provide support for those affected by suicide, bereavement and mental health issues. A group of women turning personal tragedy into compassion and practical help for others is an extraordinary act of strength in itself.

Anne Miller of Kilsyth Senior Citizens and the Old Library Management Group is a real force of nature in the community, working tirelessly to ensure that older people remain connected, active and supported. She has been known to chase me down when I have been doing my surgeries, and she is somebody I always love to see. Isobel Hughes and the welcome group at St Patrick’s in Kilsyth provide support, respite and friendship for people living with memory loss, and for their families. The woman’s name “GRACE” stands for the Group Recovery Aftercare Community Enterprise in East Dunbartonshire, where Lynnie and Yvette support adults who are in recovery from life trauma. The organisation provides therapy, recovery support and aftercare, and is rooted in lived experience and a fundamental belief that the need for aftercare never stops. GRACE is a powerful force for good for those rebuilding their lives.

Those women, and so many others across Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, give their time, energy and compassion to support others. As the hon. Member for Aberdeen North (Kirsty Blackman) said earlier, that work happens quietly, without recognition, but its impact is profound. Such women strengthen communities, lift people up, and remind us all of the power of kindness and solidarity. That is why International Women’s Day matters. It allows us to celebrate those contributions while remembering that progress has never been inevitable. Every right that women enjoy today has been hard won by those who came before us. As we celebrate their achievements, we must also recognise the work that is still to be done, including tackling violence against women and girls, closing the gender pay gap, and ensuring that every girl has the right and the opportunity to lead, learn and thrive.

Today I place on the record my sincere thanks to the women across Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch who give so much of themselves in service to others. Their work reminds us that progress is not just delivered by Government; it is built every day in our communities by the people who choose to care, to support and to stand up for others. If we truly want a world where women and girls gain equality, justice and opportunity, we must continue to match their commitment with our action.