ELECTED women in Clydebank and north-west Glasgow said a century since some women got the right to vote should be a chance to fight for more equality.

February 6, 1918 saw the passage of the Representation of the People Act, granting some women over 30 the right to vote for the first time.

But while local leaders said the date is to be celebrated - including a stamps marking the centenary and the suffragette movement, pictured - they said much more work is needed to achieve equality.

Clydebank Waterfront Councillor Marie McNair told the Post: "Equality, although hard fought for, has come far in the last 100 years. Unfortunately there remains a lot to be done before we see full equality for women.

"The suffragettes must be celebrated for what they achieved and we must never forget the great personal hardship they endured. They led the way for women to be given the vote, but even recognition of what women did during the war, stepping into positions that were predominately done by males, only resulted in a partial awarding of the vote.

"The fight had to go on before women were seen by many as equal and given the full vote.

"As a woman I have never taken anything for granted and have worked hard to get where I am today. I have always used my vote as it is important to remember how we got it."

She added: "I thank my foresisters for paving the way for women today to be part of a more equal and liberal society.”

Fellow Clydebank councillor Diane Docherty said: "The anniversary is a reminder of what these great women did, but it also serves as an opportunity to highlight how far we still have to go to achieve the aims of equality in today’s world.”

Leaders said the recent abuse allegations across film and TV, the #MeToo movement and many high-profile investigations show the work left to be done.

Faifley Community Council chairwoman Claire Gallagher told the Post: "Without the woman back then fighting for our rights we wouldn't even be speaking to you.

"One hundred years on and we are still fighting for equal pay - that sums it for me. And the debacle featured in the news last month where woman were paid by rich men to be oogled as objects of at the President's Club dinner suggests that although we have come far in 100 years, clearly not far enough."

Garscadden/Scotstounhill councillor Eva Murray said it was worth remembering it took another 10 years after 1918 before women got an equal franchise.

She said: "Part of me gets quite emotional about it when I think of the contribution my own family members would have made and those values that have passed down to me, the reason I inevitably got involved in politics.

"And I think in a Glaswegian sense, we did what we always do and got stuck in - we didn’t waste time when the Act was brought in, with women standing and being elected as soon as they were able to vote for themselves.

"My mind goes to Mary Barbour and Eleanor Stewart, two of Glasgow’s first female councillors elected and how even though they could vote when elected in 1920. Many others couldn’t and they committed to empowering women after war-time efforts in Glasgow to ensure women would never be silenced again.

"I can’t begin to imagine what these women went through at that time, the sacrifices they made for the women who came after them, those they would never know or meet but those who would be forever grateful."

She added: "It’s up to us all to carry on their legacy always striving for a more progressive and equal world, not pulling the ladder up but putting a hand down to help the sisters that will come after us.”