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The Herald Scotland

Female councillor on 'male aggression' in Scottish council

"In my experience, many male councillors will agree that there's space for women in the council — but only if we don't threaten their place. The men close ranks the second one of them is challenged by a woman. I've been called 'ungracious' just for speaking up, and told to 'stick to your skill set' when looking at a place on an influential committee — as if real influence rightly belongs to them because of their 'experience'. But how are we meant to get that experience if we're never given the chance? The truth is, the whole system was built by men, for men. We're allowed to speak — as long as we're agreeing. The moment we challenge the status quo, we're seen as the problem. Inside the chamber, I'm met with open aggression: constant undermining, criticism, and men disagreeing no matter what I say. Outside the chamber, it's everyday sexism that chips away at you: comments about my appearance, how attractive I look on a particular day or how my voice sounds. READ MORE: 'Why are women in Scottish politics still facing hurdles?' Holyrood 2026: Fears over female MSP representation There's the jokes 'better get up the road and make your man's tea' if I'm still in the building after a specific time, and even more sinister comments like being told to fix an issue with a male councillor by going on a 'date night' with him. All of this is exhausting. It chips away at your confidence and becomes a constant distraction from the real, positive reasons we step forward: to serve the community and make a difference. It spills over into family life too. They're the ones we rely upon for support. We're there, willing and able to contribute fully — but we're held back by these barriers and by a culture that undermines us at every turn. I'm not sure the public realises just how much this limits the impact women can make, even when we do manage to get a seat at the table. We're told women aren't robust enough for politics. But what that really means is that we won't match the masculine aggression that some men bring and is encouraged amongst others. That isn't weakness. It's refusing to become part of the toxic culture that still dominates local politics. Why is open aggression accepted within our chambers under the guise of 'freedom of expression' and then act surprised when the public mirrors that same hostility? As the Engender report illustrates, women are trying to get a seat at the table, but that table has been designed by men for men. Until the culture changes it will always somewhere where women are treated as outsiders rather than equals. I am not convinced we will ever see any culture change, it is not just slow, its blocked. When women try to challenge the status quo, the men close ranks. Threatened with reports to Ethical Standards, using the system and processes against us, making women's positions within their parties feel precarious and threatening their places of any real influence. The atmosphere turns hostile, fear keeps most silent, we are outnumbered." Engender's report 'The Road to Success- Women's Candidate Journey and Way to Advance it', seen exclusively by The Herald and set to be published on Monday, laid bare the challenges faced by women pursuing political office in Scotland. It found that everyday sexism and sexist bullying within local parties was widespread.