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LONGER READ: Debut of child-friendly political group in the Highlands


By Scott Maclennan

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Organiser Victoria Gianopoulos-Johnson..Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.043954.
Organiser Victoria Gianopoulos-Johnson..Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.043954.

A mother of two from Nairn, frustrated at the lack of opportunities for parents at home with children to become politically engaged, has started her own child-friendly group to foster activism.

Scottish independence supporter Victoria Gianopoulos-Johnson overcame resistance online and in person to forge ahead with her plan after she was challenged to stop waiting for it to happen and go ahead and do it herself.

The first meeting was held earlier this month, with babies and toddlers almost outnumbering those attending in person, who were joined by 400 more online.

Among those taking part was a founder member of Women for Independence, Sue Lyons, and Scottish Greens member Anne Thomas who both talked and held an informal Q&A session afterwards.

Key to the concept is allowing those, particularly women, who would not normally be able to get involved in political discussions to “fully participate” in democracy while taking their children along as well.

Mrs Gianopoulos-Johnson said: “The idea came about as I was on air with Indylive Radio and we were discussing some of the barriers to women participating in activism.

“I was expressing my frustration and saying I wished that both of the pro-independence parties would make more of an effort to be inclusive and host events outside of what seems to be the standard 7pm or 8pm time.

“A woman who was also on air suggested I shouldn’t just wait for them to take the lead but should go about organising such an event myself. So I did. I rented a room, and organised speakers on my own.”

Eowyn Johnson plays on during meeting...Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.043954.
Eowyn Johnson plays on during meeting...Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.043954.

The meeting was planned as a one-off but is likely to be brought back, with figures such as local MSP and cabinet secretaries Maree Todd and Fergus Ewing expressing an interest in attending.

Key to the success of the event was the Yes Nairn group who Mrs Gianopoulos-Johnson said were “incredibly supportive”, sponsoring the room and supplying information to hand out to those attending.

“Over and over when I am speaking with other mums and ask their opinion on independence I hear the same response: ‘Yes, I am interested but I just don’t know enough to have a strong opinion on the matter’,” she said.

“I feel like those of us with young bairns at home have been under-served by the current meeting and event structure which is always held at night just as we are putting bairns to bed and held in not child-friendly venues.

“My whole goal for this event is to enable the parents and carers who attend to receive information about some of the important points about independence. They can take that and make up their minds for themselves.

“Having young children should not be a barrier to fully participating in a democracy. It is my fervent hope that people across Scotland will take it upon themselves to organise similar informational events created by and for parents.”

Shaunda Hamilton, who attended with her children, said: “As a mother it absolutely helps, just having a place for the kids to play and the opportunity for the parents to engage with some of the ideas that are being discussed.

“But providing something for the mothers where they can bring their children along, it absolutely benefits the mums where they can get involved – that is important because everyone should have a stake in democracy.”

Mrs Lyons said: “The importance of meetings like this is that they are inclusive and politically it lets people think about the big issues in the context of their own lives.

“I think also that meetings like this help women who don’t think they could or should speak out. That’s been my experience. So often when we are busy with our kids we need to be reminded that we are not on our own with all the other stuff as well.”

Ms Thomas said: “I think it is often awkward for women and parents in general to get out to evening meetings. This does give them an option of not having to deal with childcare and things, which can be tricky.”


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