The findings and recommendations of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group Study on Gender Inequality and Poverty in Aberdeen are to be reviewed after the results were discussed at last week’s (11 June) Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee.
The Scottish Women’s Budget Group were commissioned by the committee to explore the impact of poverty and gender inequality on women and their families and subsequently identify solutions that could address these issues.
Heather Williams, Training Lead, Scottish Women’s Budget Group said: “Many of the challenges identified highlight interlinked structural barriers that women face. Caring responsibilities, social security, work, transport, health and housing were all highlighted as significant issues for women in Aberdeen these impact on the choices and options available to them and cause gender inequality.
“We look forward to seeing what action Aberdeen City Council will take to address the issues highlighted.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “The Scottish Women’s Budget Group should be commended for their work on this study and I wish to thank them and all those who participated in the research project.
“The Council will now look at the comprehensive findings and recommendations and hope to implement solutions to some of the issues with gender inequality and poverty that women across Aberdeen are currently facing.”
Anti-Poverty and Inequality Vice-Convener Councillor Desmond Buchanan said: “The recommendations and findings from this study will go a long way in helping to shape future policies and decision making processes across the Council and is a great example of partnership working that will make a difference.”
The project included a number of different research methods to enable researchers to hear a range of views from those who have experience of living on a low income, those who work in organisations that provide support, as well as those who have experienced both.
The methods included:
- Steering Group – 9 women from a wide range of backgrounds met nine times during the study to discuss a number of different topics.
- Online survey – circulated online during November and December 2024.
- Focus groups – worked with a number of community organisations to run small focus groups that targeted specific groups.
- Community events – events organised to engage directly with women.
The report presents 116 recommendations across four themes: care and caring (childcare and unpaid care), Safety (violence against women/community safety), welfare/benefits and health and wellbeing (accessing support and health).
Of the 116 recommendations, 96 are to Aberdeen City Council and the other 19 are to the Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Scottish and UK Government, Police Scotland and the Financial Services Ombudsman.
A response to the findings and recommendations of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group study will be brought to the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee meeting on 26th November 2025.