Judy Murray: The best Mother’s Day gift ? How about a safer and more tolerant world for women?

There’s a phrase I’ve seen over and over again throughout the pandemic that I really resonate with: “We are living through history and it is tiring.”

Trying to juggle work commitments, home schooling and Zoom catch-ups, all while staying healthy and, well, sane, has been a huge challenge for everyone. But, according to new research, lockdown has impacted one group more than any other, and that’s women.

Office for National Statistics data, released last week, found that women’s wellbeing has been the most negatively affected during the first year of the pandemic, with many reportedly feeling more anxious, depressed and lonely than ever before.

The research also found that women were more likely to be furloughed, while spending significantly less time working from home, and more time on unpaid household work and childcare. I’m sure none of this will come as a surprise to the women reading this column, but it is nonetheless very worrying to think the pandemic has perhaps widened the social inequalities that had, largely, begun to improve over the past few decades.

We know that women are traditionally still the ones who bear the brunt of the childcare and the responsibility of looking after family members who are sick or elderly. So, with the stress of a pandemic added on top of everything else, it’s no wonder we are physically and mentally exhausted.

Part of the reason I think women have been so disproportionately affected is the simple fact we don’t have the same amount of time to relax or blow off steam.

Here’s a prime example. For most, exercise is one of the easiest and most important ways to unwind and, for those with children, full-time jobs or both, the evening is often the only opportunity they have to go for a walk, run or just pop outside for a bit of fresh air. But women, unlike men, simply can’t do any of those things outside after dark.

It may surprise some men to hear this, but the majority of women would consider a night-time walk just too risky.

We avoid isolated spots, cross the road to avoid strangers, send our live location to friends, and carry personal safety alarms because we are scared of what might happen out there alone in the dark.

It’s an issue that has been widely discussed on social media in the wake of the tragic disappearance of Sarah Everard last week, and I know so many women have been sharing their own experiences of the everyday fear and anxiety that comes from simply being a woman.

It’s seems appropriate that today of all days, Mother’s Day, we have an open and honest conversation about how we can help, support and protect the women in our lives.

But it shouldn’t end at just talking – we need to take action and champion real change to ensure that future generations live in a safer, happier and more tolerant world. For me, that would be a much better gift than a card and a bunch of flowers.

Football clubs are still a force for good

© Craig Foy / SNS Group

As somebody who loves sport, I can completely understand the euphoria felt by fans after Rangers were crowned Scottish Premiership champions – especially after an almost decade-long wait. But I also sympathise with the justifiable anger felt by the people of Glasgow as they watched crowds of supporters flood to Ibrox stadium and then George Square in the heart of the city.

We’ve all been locked down and living with restrictions for the past 12 months, so to see a small minority of fans completely disregarding personal responsibility by gathering en masse was, to say the least, both shocking and disappointing.

It is the fans who flouted lockdown that must be held responsible, but I do think the club should also have better predicted that there would be a massive outpouring of excitement and, therefore, every possibility of a breach of lockdown rules. With that anticipated, a stronger “stay home” message to fans from the captain and the players might have reduced the numbers.

However, it’s important to note the fantastic work football clubs do in their local communities, and keep this in mind so the entire sport isn’t tarred with the same brush. From mental health support to food banks, clubs are an integral part of society, and such a powerful force for good within Scotland.

There has been a small number of people taking this breach of the rules as an opportunity to demonise and criticise football in general and, quite frankly, they are clearly missing the point.

Was TV chat right for publicity-shy royals?

© AP

As I predicted a few weeks ago, the entire nation seems to have tuned in to watch Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey on Monday.

OK, maybe not the entire country, but apparently the viewing figures peaked at 12.3 million here in the UK, and a further 17.1 million in the US, so it’s fair to say the couple attracted a lot of attention!

For Harry, I can only imagine how claustrophobic it must have felt to be constantly under scrutiny, on your guard and toeing the party line, as it were, almost straight from birth.

While, for Meghan, I can see how difficult it must have been to adjust to strict protocols and a sudden lack of freedom, not to mention being picked apart in the press. Let’s face it, some of the headlines were unforgivable and the column inches excessive.

But if the couple wanted to escape all that, was a massively publicised interview with one of the biggest TV hosts in the world the best decision? Yes, they have to make their own money now, but at what cost?

It’s Margherita time

With lockdown restrictions finally starting to ease and a blue envelope finally popping through my letterbox, I’ve been feeling a lot more optimistic.

On Friday the rules changed to allow four people from two households to meet outdoors, which is just wonderful news after endless Zoom calls and one-on-one walks. I’ll be celebrating by picking up takeaway pizzas and popping over to my brother’s house for a little garden gathering. With celebratory fizz, of course.