Last week's election saw the number of women MPs rise from 128 to 142, in the right direction but at this rate we're still looking at a couple of hundred years before we have parity with men in Westminster.  In Scotland we now have 13 female MPs - an increase of 4.  Meryl Kenny and Fiona Mackay from Edinburgh University compiled an analysis of the election of our Scottish women MPs for Engender which you can read here.

The Fawcett Society issued an open letter supported by 100 prominent women which was published in the Guardian urging political parties to remember the needs of women in the coming parliamentary session.  Our Director , Niki Kandirikirira and Convener, Marsha Scott both put their names to this.  Read the letter here 

Edinburgh Feminist Forum have set up a website called The Effie as a space for feminist news, reviews, blogging and discussion. We wish them luck! Find the site at www.effie.org.uk

This years Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre AGM will hear from Marie-Clare Fahey, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who now works for peace in her homeland from London. There will also be an opportunity to hear from an asylum seeker from Glasgow who will talk about the experience of seeking asylum in Scotland today. The AGM will be held in the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace on 1st June at 7pm.
 

 Zero Tolerance are looking for a Development Worker for their Respect programme.  This is a full time post based in Edinburgh. Closing date for applictions is 17th May.  See full details and how to apply at  http://www.vawpreventionscotland.org.uk  or http://goodmoves.org.uk

Women onto Work are advertising for a full-time Project Manger and a part-time Employment Support Worker based in Edinburgh.  Closing date for both posts is 21st May.  See full details here  WOW are also looking for new members to join their board of Directors - see here for details