Funding stability for more third sector organisations
More than a hundred third sector organisations that work to address violence against women and girls have received a multi-year funding agreement from the Scottish Government.
Funding of £43.28 million over two years through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund will support organisations to deliver projects across Scotland. These will provide direct services to victims and survivors of gender-based violence and carry out vital prevention work.
This two-year funding agreement marks a significant step in the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing a more sustainable funding model for the third sector in line with fairer funding principles.
It follows a multi-year commitment of £3.5 million a year over the next three years for disability organisations as set out in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27.
In addition to the Fairer Funding pilot announced last year, this means that almost 50% of the value of third sector grants in the Social Justice Portfolio in 2025-26 are now covered by multi-year funding agreements. This approach aims to protect the sector’s future by providing the certainty organisations need to plan ahead, retain specialist staff and sustain their vital services.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have listened carefully to the third sector about the challenges they face.
“This includes the impact of single-year funding settlements on their ability to plan ahead and retain the specialist staff who are so vital to delivering these services.
“This multi-year investment demonstrates that we have heard and responded to those concerns. It will give organisations the stability and greater certainty they need to continue their essential work to protect victims and survivors of gender-based violence across Scotland.”
The Delivering Equally Safe Fund supports the work of the Equally Safe strategy, which underpins Scotland’s approach to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.
Consultation responses support new hate crime regulations
Women and girls will have greater protection against hate crimes under legislation laid in the Scottish Parliament by Ministers yesterday/today.
The regulations, if agreed by MSPs, will designate ‘sex’ as a protected characteristic under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. There are protections in the Act for individuals’ rights in respect to freedom of expression for the new stirring up hatred offences. Hate crime is behaviour that is both criminal and rooted in prejudice and can be verbal, physical, online or face-to-face.
This will make it a specific criminal offence to stir up hatred against women and girls, as well as men and boys, because of their sex. The regulations will also allow courts to treat crimes motivated by hatred of someone’s sex as aggravated offences, which are considered more serious – including when passing sentence following conviction.
A consultation was held on the draft regulations, with 309 out of 365 responses supporting adding the characteristic of sex to both the stirring up of hatred offence and the aggravation. The final regulations now laid for MSPs’ scrutiny are largely unchanged from the draft.
The change will mean that women and girls have the same legal safeguards available under the Act to groups targeted by hate crime because of their age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “These regulations will significantly strengthen legal protections for women and girls from offences motivated by prejudice and hatred because of their sex and they will ensure that Scotland’s justice system can respond appropriately.
“The changes will mean women and girls have the same protections as victims who are targeted because of a specific characteristic, such as age, religion or disability. Men and boys will also be protected, however, we know that women and girls suffer significantly more from threats, abuse and harassment based on their sex, so they are likely to benefit most from those new protections.
“The vast majority of responses received during the consultation on these proposals supported adding the characteristic of sex to both the stirring up of hatred offence and the aggravation.
“The regulations will come into force on 5 April 2027, giving Police Scotland the necessary time to update training and guidance and ensuring they are operationally ready for the change.”
UK announces new life-saving support for pregnant women and new mothers, and menstrual hygiene kits for thousands of women and girls
UK announces new life-saving support for pregnant women and new mothers, and menstrual hygiene kits for thousands of women and girls
Foreign Secretary calls for a full resumption of aid into Gaza, as women and girls risk pregnancy complications and disease
It comes amid ‘catastrophic’ humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with ‘women and girls bearing the brunt of the suffering’
Against a backdrop of an appalling humanitarian crisis, the UK has pledged vital funding to deploy midwives and deliver emergency medical supplies for new mothers in Gaza. The aid could reach thousands—but only if Israel allows a substantial increase in vital humanitarian access.
The announcement comes after the Famine Review Committee confirmed famine in parts of Gaza.
The UK reiterates that the Israeli government’s refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza has caused this man-made catastrophe and urges it to take action to improve the situation immediately.
The Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, with famine in Gaza City and women and girls bearing the brunt of the suffering.
“The UK is doing all we can to improve the situation but we remain crystal clear: for aid to have impact, Israel must ensure it is allowed in and delivered safely and securely to civilians in desperate need.
“Gaza’s healthcare system has been decimated. With ongoing strikes on healthcare centres and most hospitals no longer functioning at all, pregnant women will be extremely anxious about giving birth safely.
“That’s why we’re announcing this support today as part of our sustained humanitarian assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“This new funding will help improve midwifery provisions and make giving birth safer. It is critical to improving the situation for mothers and their new-born babies.
“But this funding can only have maximum impact if the Government of Israel allows it. Israel must ensure protection of civilians including healthcare staff and health infrastructure, and enable the delivery of life saving medicines, medical equipment and healthcare supplies into Gaza.
“We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, a surge in aid and a framework to deliver long-term peace.”
UK funding is set to support some of the 130 women who give birth every day against the backdrop of conflict in Gaza. This £3m funding, delivered through the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) is supporting midwives to provide essential lifesaving care for mothers and newborn babies in conflicts and crises.
UNFPA is providing life-saving reproductive health supplies for women and girls in Gaza. Since the conflict began, UNFPA has reached over one million people with sexual and productive health services and gender-based violence prevention and response support.
It has also ensured that over 150,000 women and girls have been able to purchase essential menstrual and hygiene items to meet their basic needs.
Laila Baker, UNFPA Arab States Regional Director said: “Women and girls are enduring increasingly horrific conditions in Gaza – with widespread malnutrition and disease putting the lives of pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies at particular risk.
“This vital contribution from the United Kingdom will support UNFPA in providing lifesaving medicines, deploying mobile maternity units, and supporting midwives across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“With one in five babies in Gaza born prematurely or underweight, and maternal and neonatal services collapsing from fuel and supply shortages, UNFPA also reiterates its urgent call for unimpeded, sustained and demilitarized humanitarian aid into the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The FCDO is also working with Oxfam GB to distribute Reemi’s zero waste menstrual hygiene products that are suitable for women and girls with limited access to clean water. In incredibly difficult circumstances, Oxfam and local partners distributed over 5,000 Reemi kits in Northern Gaza in early 2025.
Women and girls will have greater protection against hate crimes under plans being consulted upon by the Scottish Government.
Draft regulations have been laid in Parliament to add ‘sex’ as a characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.
If agreed, the regulations will make it a criminal offence to stir up hatred against women and girls, as well as men and boys, because of their sex, which is defined as biological sex. The regulations will also enable courts to treat crimes motivated by hatred of someone’s sex as aggravated offences, which are considered more serious.
This would mean women and girls have the same legal safeguards available under the Act to groups targeted by hate crime because of their age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. Freedom of expression is built into the Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in March 2021.
A consultation paper seeking views on the plans, which were announced in May, has been published. It will remain open until 10 October and responses will inform consideration of the final regulations to be laid in Parliament.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “We must send a strong message to victims, perpetrators, communities and wider society that offences motivated by prejudice and hatred against women and girls will not be tolerated.
“Adding the characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime Act will ensure that women and girls have the same protections as victims who are targeted because of a specific characteristic, such as age, religion or disability.
“Men and boys will also be protected, however, we know that women and girls suffer significantly more from threats, abuse and harassment based on their sex, so they are likely to benefit most from these new legal protections.
“This will add to a range of general laws that can be used to prosecute aspects of misogynistic harassment and abuse.
“However, criminal law reform alone cannot eliminate abuse against women and girls, or the attitudes which perpetuate it; men must play an active role in identifying, challenging and changing the misogynistic and negative attitudes and behaviours that underpin the abuse of, and violence against, women and girls.”
Over 1.5 million UK women are affected by endometriosis – now a new survey has uncovered the significant toll lesser-known symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and fatigue take on their social, emotional, and professional lives.
Nine out of 10 (96%) UK women with endometriosis experience a decline in their quality of life due to debilitating heavy periods and fatigue, yet many never seek medical help, according to a new study from leading iron supplement specialist Active Iron.
A survey of 1,500 women and girls for Endometriosis Awareness Month found that problem periods are often dismissed as merely “part of being a woman”. This is despite many individuals experiencing severe pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and fatigue.
Nearly three-quarters of women diagnosed with endometriosis in the UK reported having heavy periods, leading to menstrual fatigue.
This fatigue affected 74% of surveyed women aged 16 to 55 who have the condition, with 59% describing the fatigue as ‘extreme’. As a result, 84% reported a noticeable difference in their ability to function normally during their period.
Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue resembling the lining of the womb develops around organs within the abdomen. It is characterised by pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, as well as chronic pelvic pain. Many women also experience secondary symptoms including heavy bleeding, irregular menstrual cycles, and fatigue.
Despite this, on average, women wait 7.5 years for a diagnosis, and many with heavy menstrual bleeding avoid seeking medical help, thinking it’s normal.
Concerningly, the study revealed that symptoms like heavy periods and fatigue are not limited to women diagnosed with endometriosis.
Notably, 77% of those without endometriosis reported experiencing menstrual fatigue that impacted their daily lives, with 74% lacking the energy or motivation to do everyday tasks as a result.
This leaves many women facing serious physical, social, and emotional challenges due to debilitating symptoms. These issues not only harm their health but also disrupt important parts of their lives, such as work, relationships, and social activities.
More than a quarter of women (27%), irrespective of endometriosis diagnosis, reported being unable to work due to heavy menstrual bleeding and the accompanying fatigue. Approximately one in five (16%) had taken a sick day, while 34% had worked but experienced a decline in their performance.
Home life was similarly impacted, with 23% of all women surveyed saying that problem periods had negatively affected their relationship with their spouse or partner, almost a quarter (24%) avoiding staying overnight at a partner’s house, and 20% struggling to keep up with their children during their menstrual cycle.
As a result of heavy menstrual bleeding and fatigue, 50% of women felt antisocial and didn’t want to spend time with friends or family, leaving 55% feeling isolated and alone when dealing with tiredness from heavy periods. Emotionally, 50% described themselves as feeling unhappy, sad or depressed.
Dr Ria Clarke, registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology, and expert clinician for Active Iron, said: “It’s so important that we can dispel the misconceptions around heavy periods, fatigue and endometriosis, reduce unnecessary delays in diagnosis, and improve the quality of life for millions of women worldwide whose lives are being negatively impacted.
“This is particularly important when you consider that these conditions aren’t exclusive to diagnosed individuals, and 47% of UK women find their current methods for alleviating period-related fatigue ineffective.”
Claire Lynch, head of marketing for Active Iron, added: “With this survey and our campaign, we want to spark meaningful conversations and change the way we talk about endometriosis and heavy periods.
“As we enter Endometriosis Awareness Month, our aim is to shed light on the lesser-known impacts of the condition, like heavy periods and menstrual fatigue, breaking down the stigma around menstrual health and aiding women in better managing their symptoms.”
More than half of women surveyed had been given pain medication to treat endometriosis, while 45% were recommended contraception, and 32% have been prescribed other hormone therapies.
Active Iron’s survey found, however, that women find their current methods to relieve menstrual fatigue ineffective. Many had resorted to consuming more coffee or energy drinks (42%), sleeping more (52%), and doing less activities (48%) to manage tiredness caused by their menstrual cycle.
“Given that menstruation is the leading cause of iron loss worldwide, it’s important to understand the link between heavy periods, low iron levels and fatigue. Rather than covering up tiredness and fatigue with quick fixes, a daily iron supplement can help women address the energy loss associated with diminished iron levels, in turn achieving symptomatic relief and improving their quality of life,” added Dr Clarke.
Many iron supplements are poorly tolerated, leading to debilitating side effects like nausea, constipation and changed bowel habits. This causes women to discontinue them, reducing the chance of improving their iron stores and resulting energy levels.
In contrast, Active Iron is clinically proven to improve iron levels by 94%, whilst avoiding troublesome side effects, resulting in increased energy levels, and longer-term improvements in overall health.
Don’t accept menstrual fatigue, visit activeiron.com/uk to learn more.
Scottish Government investment to fund vital services
Victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse will be able to access support quicker thanks to an additional £2 million of funding from the Scottish Government.
The funding will go to Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid so they can reduce their waiting lists for women who need support services, including refuge places and counselling. Last year, both organisations supported more than 27,000 women and girls, but demand for their services has grown.
The £2 million for 2024-25 is in addition to £19 million annual funding the Scottish Government provides to support women with experience of violence through our Delivering Equally Safe fund.
Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Violence against women and girls is abhorrent and these frontline services provide much needed support to victims and survivors.
“We recognise the vital work that women’s aids and rape crisis centres do day in, day out to support women, girls and families. Demand for these services is increasing, which is why we are providing record funding, investing an additional £2 million to help with immediate need. This is in addition to funding received through our Delivering Equally Safe Fund.
“Alongside supporting those impacted, we are committed to tackling violence against women and girls, and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it through our Equally Safe Strategy. It is this that needs to change to eradicate the violence too many experience.”
Rape Crisis Scotland Chief Executive Sandy Brindley said: “We are delighted that funding has been extended for 10 of our member centres who were facing the most significant issues with waiting lists.
“This funding will help Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland to continue to provide specialist support to survivors of sexual violence that can be truly lifesaving.
“Demand for Rape Crisis support is ever-growing, and it is vital that when survivors reach out for support, they are able to receive it when they need it, not weeks or months later.”
Scottish Women’s Aid Chief Executive Marsha Scott said: “This is such welcome news. In this time of rising costs and rising demand, Women’s Aid services in Scotland have never been stretched thinner, and children and women needing support should never have to sit on a waiting list.
“We are grateful not only that the fund has been extended until the end of the next financial year but that the Scottish Government has responded to concerns about inflation and mounting pressure on staff who work so hard to provide sometimes life-saving services.”
A key factor in the bid to end poverty in the Capital by 2030 is the steps being taken by the Council and partners to prevent and mitigate the impacts on women.
This is closely linked to child poverty, given there is a proportionately high share of caring responsibilities adopted by women in general – 90% of lone parents are women, 38% of those in Scotland live in poverty.
Women have also been disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis and, alongside childcare, these patterns are strongly driven by gender inequalities in the workplace. Women account for 60% of all low paid workers in Edinburgh and 78% of all part time workers.
In response to these challenges, actions in the Council’s End Poverty in Edinburgh Delivery Plan, and other plans, which are expected to prevent or mitigate the impact of poverty on women and girls, include:
Raising awareness of the gender impacts of poverty
Helping to increase incomes for women in poverty
Reducing the costs and impact of childcare responsibilities
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Tackling poverty is one of our key priorities as a Council and our 2030 target is ambitious but one I’m convinced can be achieved. We have to act decisively if we’re to eradicate poverty in Edinburgh.
“It’s a fact that women are more likely to experience poverty and thus it was important that we had a separate update on specific actions being taken to help to further highlight this issue.
“It’s also of course not just the material constraints of living in poverty that make things hard, it’s the emotional strain and it is important that we do all we can to tackle this.
“This update on actions currently underway was well received by councillors who fully support the work of the End Poverty in Edinburgh Delivery Plan which gives an important overview of where we are. We know that we can’t achieve our goals in insolation.
“That’s why we are working with partners such as the End Poverty Edinburgh citizen’s group who help us make sure that the real experiences of people who live in poverty are at the centre of shaping the actions we take to tackle poverty and inequality in the capital city.
“Analysis of these actions will be continued, and I look forward to the update on the wider End Poverty in Edinburgh progress later in the year where will look at all households and priority groups.”
NO Poverty concerns for one new council employee. Edinburgh’s interim Director of Adult Social Care will be paid no less than £403,390 A YEAR!
I’m sure that will go down really well with the capital’s care workers, the majority of whom are women! – Ed.
Proposals to criminalise abusive and humiliating behaviour routinely directed at women and girls
Misogynistic harassment could become a criminal offence as part of proposals aimed at providing greater protection for women and girls in Scotland.
A consultation has been launched on the draft reforms, which would create five new laws to provide police and prosecutors with new powers to tackle the corrosive effects of misogyny.
Under the proposals, the scope of how current laws tackle misogynistic abuse would be expanded to include threatening, abusive or sexual behaviour directed towards women or girls – because of their gender– which is likely to cause them to feel degradation, humiliation or distress.
It would also be used to tackle situations where women or girls are subjected to threatening or abusive messages about rape, sexual assault or disfigurement – either in person, or online.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “Baroness Kennedy’s report was stark in its assessment of the level of misogyny that exists in Scotland. Women and girls are routinely humiliated, touched, groped, undermined, trolled and objectified both online and off, and subjected to threats, harassment and abuse about their looks or desirability – stopping them from fully participating in society.
“Although there are already a range of laws that can be used to prosecute aspects of misogynistic harassment and abuse, these do not accurately identify the particular harm caused by misogyny. They also fail to adequately respond to problems faced by women, which is why we are consulting on further criminal reforms.
“And while criminal law reform alone cannot be expected to eliminate misogynistic abuse, or the attitudes which perpetuate it, these specific criminal protections are an important step in challenging society’s – and particularly men’s – tolerance of misogyny. I encourage everyone with an interest to consider what is proposed and offer their views.”
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC said: “ I strongly encourage as many women as possible to participate in this consultation.
“For too long the law has not been drawn from the experience of women. It is time to hear from girls and women about what they think should be included in law so that they can be treated as equals and live free from abuse and denigration.”
The consultation will run from 8 March to 2 June 2023.
An offence of misogynistic harassment. This would make it a criminal offence for a person to behave in a way that amounts to misogynistic harassment directed at a woman or girl or group of women and girls.
An offence of misogynistic behaviour. Intended to deal with misogynistic behaviour which is likely to have the effecting of causing a woman or girl to experience fear, alarm, degradation, humiliation or distress where that behaviour is not directed at a specific woman or girl (or group of women and girls) and so could not be described as ‘harassment’.
A statutory aggravation concerning misogyny. This would be used where an offence had a misogynistic motive or a person demonstrates misogyny whilst committing a crime. The statutory aggravation would ensure that this motive is recorded and taken into account when sentencing.
An offence of threatening or abusive communications to women or girls that reference rape, sexual assault or disfigurement. This offence criminalises sending an abusive message to a woman or girl that refers to rape, sexual assault or disfigurement
An offence of stirring up hatred against women and girls. This offence is concerned with the effect that the behaviour may be likely to have on the people in whom the perpetrator is seeking to stir up hatred of women and girls.
A statement calling for the role of women and girls to be advanced in addressing climate change has been launched at COP26, jointly-sponsored by the Scottish Government and UN Women.
The Glasgow Women’s Leadership Statement on Gender Equality and Climate Change commits to further strengthening efforts to support women and girls to lead on addressing climate change at community, national, and international level.
It recognises that women and girls are often disproportionately affected by climate change and face greater risks and burdens from its impacts, particularly in situations of poverty.
Drafted in cooperation with UN Women, the statement was launched following a panel discussion convened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, which included Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas.
The statement will remain open for signatures from today until the 66th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, to be held in March 2022 with a focus on women’s empowerment in the context of climate change, the environment and disaster risk reduction.
The panel discussed gendered impacts of climate change and the importance of women and girls’ leadership in addressing these.
The First Minister said: “I am delighted to convene the Glasgow Women’s Leadership Initiative with UN Women, to put gender equality and climate change at the very forefront of COP26.
“One of the great injustices of the climate crisis is that the people and countries who are worst affected are those who have contributed least to its causes. That includes women and girls, with girls more likely to be taken out of school, and women less able to find alternative forms of work as a result of climate impacts.
“The Glasgow statement recognises that the leadership of women and girls is essential to ensure global efforts to tackle climate change succeed. With strong partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society we can enable more women and girls to lead on the solutions we need to address climate impacts and promote gender equality.
“I am determined that Scotland will lead on progressing this at home and internationally where we can, and I call on all leaders to join me in signing up to the statement.”
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said: “We can only achieve our collective goal and responsibility of reducing emissions to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius if women and girls are part of the response.
“Today’s statement is a powerful tool in sustaining the growing momentum of women’s and girls’ leadership and innovation in climate action. I call on women leaders to make concrete commitments by signing it.”
Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas said: “Empowerment of women and girls is a priority for Estonia also in our UN work. We need to recognize at the highest political level that especially in fragile and conflict-affected settings women and girls are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.”
More than 120 projects across Scotland will share £38 million to support survivors of gender-based violence and focus on prevention.
The Delivering Equally Safe Fund (DES) is a new two-year funding programme to support third sector organisations and public bodies contribute to the objectives, priorities, and outcomes of the Equally Safe strategy.
The Fund includes more than £28 million for frontline services which provide direct support to women and girls, prioritising services that maximise their safety and wellbeing.
The two-year fund has also been increased by an additional £1 million per year to support projects which focus on early intervention and preventative measures.
Funding will be distributed to 121 projects, including Respect, which provides helpline services for perpetrators of domestic abuse, Kingdom Abuse Survivors project and Moray Women’s Aid.
Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Violence against women and girls is appalling and unacceptable which is why we are funding organisations that are tackling the issue head on, including frontline services that support survivors and get to the root of abusive behaviour.
“These organisations are offering new and innovative ways to aid recovery, encourage education, and increase prevention awareness.
“I am also pleased that we have been able to increase our funding by more than £1 million a year more than our original fund to increase our support to these important initiatives.
“I look forward to seeing the results of the important the work that Equally Safe Fund will deliver.”
Melanie Wood, from Moray Women’s Aid said: “We are delighted to receive funding through the Delivering Equally Safe fund. It will allow us to continue to deliver essential services to vulnerable women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse when they most needed it.
“The funding will support the work of our Community Outreach Project and the Children and Young Person’s Service.”
