LOCAL SNP MSP SAYS THAT, AS IN MANY CONFLICTS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED
Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Rona Mackay has tabled a parliamentary motion in Holyrood to ‘express grave concern’ about the impact of the war in Gaza on pregnant women, babies and children and calling for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life.
The local SNP MSP is Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Men’s Violence Against Women and Children.
The Group estimates that around 4,000 pregnant women and babies are currently unable to access basic pre and post-natal healthcare and support. The Group has written to the UK government and British Medical Association, calling on them to facilitate the provision of more medical supplies and medics to alleviate as much human suffering as possible.
According to the UN, there are around 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza and 180 give birth every day, with women and children representing 67% of all casualties.
Commenting, Ms Mackay, said: “The ongoing conflict in Gaza is deeply distressing and I deplore the tragic loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives.
“I am especially concerned that, like in many other conflicts, women and children are disproportionately impacted, with thousands of pregnant women and babies unable to access pre and postnatal healthcare.
“Such enormous suffering cannot be allowed to continue – innocent civilians must be able to exercise their basic human rights and recover from the devastation that has followed the October 7th terror attacks.
“We cannot allow innocent women and children to be collateral damage in this terrible conflict – there must be an immediate ceasefire."
ENDS
Notes
The full text of motion S6M-11393 can be found here. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S6M-11393