Supported by: David Stewart*, Ross Greer*, Patrick Harvie*, Andy Wightman* *S5M-02146 Alison Johnstone: Welcoming Active Girls Day 2016 That the Parliament — welcomes the arrival of Active Girls Day, which takes place on 28 October 2016; notes that Active Girls is a national programme organised by sportscotland to increase girls and young women s ’ ’ participation in PE, sport and physical activity, with girls across Scotland taking part in a variety of activities, and schools, clubs and hubs being encouraged to focus on opportunities for girls ’ participation; understands that, according to sportscotland, there is clear evidence of inequality in participation in sports in relation to women and men in Scotland; notes that, by age 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys; acknowledges the work of organisations such as the Women s Sports Foundation, the Scottish Sports Association and governing bodies in ’ highlighting barriers and opportunities; notes that Active Girls includes programmes delivered in partnership with YDance, Youth Scotland and the Youth Sport Trust, providing more leadership opportunities for girls; recognises the power that girls have to motivate and inspire each other, and wishes all those who take part the very best in what promises to be an enjoyable and inspiring day in the calendar for women s sport in Scotland.