Latest news with #TheYoungWomen'sMovement
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Young Women's Movement calls for re-introduction of Misogyny Bill
However, Scotland's national organisation for young women and girls' rights urged Scottish ministers to think again after conducting their own research which included insights into experiences of misogyny. The Young Women's Movement report, Status of Young Women in Scotland 2024 –2025, was conducted through an online survey between September and December last year as well as focus groups on various issues. Status of Young Women in Scotland 2024-25 report (Image: contributed) Out of over 600 young women aged between 16-35, the reported top concerns in regards to their rights were around safety and ending violence against women and girls, access to adequate healthcare, and fair and equal pay. The research found that young women are anxious about a regression in their rights, citing changes in society, culture and politics which make their rights feel more precarious than ever. Read more: Specific concerns raised included the rise of far-right politics and 'increasing misogyny and the radicalisation of young men online' as well as 'the persistence and prevalence of gender-based violence'. Out of those surveyed, a total of one in two said they do not trust politicians and decision-makers to represent them and advocate for their human rights, and 58% feel they have no say in decisions about how Scotland is run. The findings have led to the Young Women's Movement chief executive calling on the Scottish Government 'to prioritise young women's rights' by re-introducing the Human Rights (Scotland) Bill and the proposed Misogyny Bill. The Young Women's Movement believes if both bills were reintroduced, this would "intensify efforts to combat misogyny" and "improve young women's access to justice". Jenni Snell, CEO of The Young Women's Movement, said: "With half of young women distrusting politicians to represent them, and more than that feeling that their voices are not heard in decisions about how Scotland is run, this research makes clear that young women in Scotland are being let down by those with the most power." Young women rated public transport as the place they feel most unsafe, with one saying: 'I often feel unsafe in public places. Every woman I know has at a minimum been harassed by men on public transport; in their place of work or education; on the street, etc.' One anonymous survey respondent wrote: 'Women experience sexual and gender-based violence at catastrophic rates, and it has been extremely harmful on our physical and mental health and wellbeing, safety in our own homes, ability to access healthcare, and ability to achieve justice.' Jenni Snell, CEO of The Young Women's Movement (Image: ELLIE MORAG) Discussing action she would like to see following the findings, Ms Snell: 'Over the next year we will be furthering our work with the Scottish Parliament and elected officials to create pathways for young women to better participate in politics and democratic processes, especially in the lead up to the 2026 election, but we cannot do this work alone. 'We are calling on Scottish Government to prioritise young women's rights by reintroducing the Human Rights (Scotland) Bill and the proposed Misogyny (Scotland) Bill; intensifying efforts to combat misogyny in educational settings, workplaces and online; improving young women's access to justice by reforming the legal aid system; and meaningfully engaging and listening to young women's voices to ensure their needs are considered when policies are created." John Swinney's Programme for Government last year did not include his government's flagship Human Rights Bill which aimed to bring international human rights treaties into Scots law and make them enforceable. The government said it intends to bring forward this bill but it will not be brought forward this parliamentary term. More recently, however, on Friday, it emerged his government is dropping the Misogyny Bill as the government claims it has "insufficient time" for it to be finalised this parliamentary session following the Supreme Court judgment. This proposed bill would have provided protection to women and girls at risk of gender-based violence in Scotland, with new laws against misogynistic harassment and behaviour, stirring up hatred against women and girls and protections from abusive communications. Mr Swinney has insisted that instead of bringing forward specific laws to tackle misogyny – the dislike of, contempt for, or prejudice against women – SNP ministers will instead seek to amend existing hate crime legislation within this parliamentary term. However, a legal academic has told The Herald this may offer a "much more blunt" form of hate crime framework which would not include "certain nuances" within the Scottish Government-commissioned Misogyny report from leading lawyer Helena Kennedy KC into misogyny in Scotland. The most recent Status of Young Women in Scotland report is the seventh in the series released by The Young Women's Movement, and marks 10 years since the publication of the first of these. Ms Snell added: 'We were incredibly inspired by young women's stories through this research and their resilience in the face of adversity, and I'd like to thank every young woman who took the time to speak with us about their experiences of human rights in Scotland."
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Young Women's Movement calls for urgent action to protect rights
This research engaged with around 600 young women and girls aged 16-30 from across Scotland, with representation from very Scottish local authority and from all of the target age groups. The report explores a wide range of findings about how young women understand, access and advocate for their human rights in Scotland – from the right to education to the right to live a life free from violence. Overall, young women across Scotland are very concerned about a regression in their human rights, expressing fear and anxiety as changes in society, culture and politics make their rights feel more precarious than ever. Many young women raised specific concerns about the feminist backlash we are currently experiencing, and the rise of far-right politics at home and globally. Many young women described frequently not feeling safe in public and online, and the actions they take to protect themselves from the daily threat of violence. The rise of misogyny, particularly online, and the radicalisation of young men in digital spaces, were identified as significant barriers to young women's human rights. One young woman said: 'Women experience sexual and gender-based violence at catastrophic rates, and it has extremely harmful effects on our physical and mental health and wellbeing, safety in our own homes, ability to access healthcare, and ability to achieve justice.' This year marks thirty years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action where 189 governments from around the world unanimously adopted a ground-breaking agenda for gender equality and the human rights of all women and girls. Time alone does not drive progress. As our report shows, young women and girls across Scotland are struggling to have their human rights realised due to poor access to justice, the rise of misogyny, precarious employment opportunities, the prevalence of gender stereotypes in schools and in the workplace, and the persistence of gender-based violence, among many other rights-based issues. We are still waiting for young women and girls' human rights in Scotland to be fully articulated, protected and fulfilled. Against this challenging backdrop, the views of young women in this report give cause for some much-needed optimism. The vast majority of those surveyed identify as feminists, and most believe in the power of collective voice and action to challenge anti-rights actors and increase their confidence and assertiveness in human rights discourse. Dr Rebecca Mason, is the Research & Policy Lead at The Young Women's Movement
Glasgow Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Inspiring young women sought for Scotland's 30 Under 30 list
The Young Women's Movement, Scotland's national organisation for young women and girls' leadership and rights, is looking for nominations for its 10th annual 30 Under 30 list. Established in 2016, the list aims to address the limited diverse representation on other 30 Under 30 lists. Read more: Glasgow company commit to 'carbon reduction goals' with new solar panels It is designed to celebrate young women, girls, and non-binary people in Scotland who are making a difference in their lives, communities, or society. Each year, the list highlights some of Scotland's most inspiring young artists, activists, carers, volunteers, and trailblazers. Last year's list included Eilidh Craib, a champion teenage kickboxer from Aberdeenshire; Elsie Ong, a 13-year-old activist from Dumfries and Galloway; and Shannon Boston, a researcher investigating Shetland's drug and alcohol culture. It also featured artists, campaigners, journalists, and community champions. Jenni Snell, chief executive officer of The Young Women's Movement, said: "Young women are leading change across Scotland – within their own lives and communities, as well as at a national level. "In a climate of rising misogyny online and offline, 30 Under 30 is a much-needed opportunity to celebrate and recognise young women's achievements and the positive impact they have. Read more: Glasgow ranked as second funniest city in UK "Reading the nominations is always a moving experience, and we're excited to discover this year's 30 in the tenth iteration of the list." Nominations can be submitted until Monday, June 2, at where more information is also available. Self-nominations for the list are also welcome. The Young Women's Movement hopes to see stories from an eclectic range of age groups, parts of Scotland, and areas of life.
