Prison visit for psychology lecturer to mark IWD
Psychology lecturer Dr Gemma Stevens will give an inspirational talk on resilience to female prisoners at the Scottish Prison Service's Lilias Centre in Glasgow to mark International Women's Day (IWD) today (Wednesday, 8 March).
Dr Stevens, who joined Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health and Life Sciences' Department of Psychology in January, was "delighted" to be invited to speak to the women at the UK's first community custodial unit, based in Maryhill.
This year's IWD theme is Embrace Equity, which encourages people to help build a gender-equal world, where difference is valued and celebrated.
Dr Stevens said: "I will be speaking to women prisoners about my journey into academia and how education transformed my life, as well as how, for example, resilience can promote positive change in their lives as they go back into society.
"I'm delighted to have been invited along to speak with female prisoners at the UK's first community custodial unit, as they approach the end of their sentences, to help them celebrate International Women's Day.
"In my career, I take pride in educating the next generation of women and encouraging them to use their learnings for the common good. I'll be looking to inspire these women in custody to make the most of their liberation when it comes and to highlight the work still to be done on women's issues and rights.
"On a day that is steeped in such historical importance, it is vital for all women to be involved in the drive for change and to strive for equality, no matter what they've been through or what their past holds.
"The majority of women in the prison system have themselves been victims of domestic assault in adulthood or emotional, physical or sexual abuse as a child.
"Therefore, International Women's Day is especially important for this community - for them to have the belief in themselves, be given support and opportunities for them to achieve great things. After all, that would be for the common good of society.
"On IWD, we owe it to the great women who have gone before us to celebrate women's achievements, highlighting the work still to be done and leaving no woman behind."
The Lilias Centre became operational in 2022 and houses low supervision women and young people. Located in the Maryhill area of Glasgow, the centre's accommodation consists of four 'shared houses' with capacity for 24 individuals.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "We are delighted to welcome Dr Stevens to the Lilias Centre, to speak to the women living there, and mark International Women's Day.
"The opening of the Lilias Centre, in Glasgow, and our other community custody unit, the Bella Centre, in Dundee, have marked an important step change in the management of women in our care.
"Through our recently published Strategy for Women in Custody, we are giving women greater independence and control over their own personal development, to better prepare them for a return to their community.
"Building resilience is a key part of that journey and we look forward to hearing from Dr Stevens on the difference it can make to their lives."
Read Dr Stevens' story in the Glasgow Times - https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23368579.prison-visit-glasgow-lecturer-mark-international-womens-day/