A GLASGOW lecturer who says education “transformed” her life is to give a talk at Maryhill’s groundbreaking Lilias Centre for female prisoners on International Women’s Day.

Dr Gemma Stevens, who teaches psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, will be giving a talk on resilience at the Scottish Prison Service’s unit – the first of its kind in the UK - on March 8.

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.

“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.”

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She added: “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, which consists of four ‘shared houses’ with the capacity for 24 women, became operational in 2022.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “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.”