Reflections from Engender’s Holyrood 2026 & Preventing Violence Against Women
On 13 March 2025, we attended Engender’s Holyrood 2026 & Preventing Violence Against Women event at the COSLA Conference Centre. Bringing together policymakers, practitioners, and advocacy organisations, the event created space for critical conversations on women’s political participation and the structural changes needed to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) in Scotland.
While the day carried a strong political tone — with a focus on manifestos and the upcoming Scottish Parliament election 2026 — it also highlighted the lived realities behind policy discussions, grounding them in the experiences of women navigating political and public life.
Representation Still Falls Short
A key message from the opening session was clear: despite women making up over half of Scotland’s population, only around a third hold positions of political power and influence. This gap is not just about representation — it reflects deeper structural barriers that continue to shape who participates, who is heard, and who leads.
Research presented by Engender emphasised that improving women’s political journeys requires intentional action. This includes diversifying candidate pools, strengthening support systems, and embedding preventative approaches to GBV within political structures themselves.
The Reality of Women in Politics
Panel discussions brought these issues into sharp focus. Speakers from organisations such as the Jo Cox Foundation and Scottish Youth Parliament shared insights into the barriers women face in political environments.
A recurring theme was the persistence of gender discrimination, with bullying and harassment described not as isolated incidents, but as systemic challenges. These experiences continue to deter many women — particularly those from marginalised backgrounds — from entering or remaining in political spaces.
Listening to Marginalised Voices
The second panel shifted focus to the voices and demands of young and underrepresented women, featuring organisations including The Young Women’s Movement and Inclusion Scotland.
Discussions centred on economic inclusion, fair work, and the importance of embedding equity into policy commitments. The message was clear: preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG) cannot be separated from broader issues of inequality. Meaningful change requires an intersectional approach that addresses the realities of those most often excluded.
From Policy to Practice
The workshops offered practical insights into how these ideas can be implemented.
In the Building a Stronger, Safer Workforce session, led by Equally Safe at Work, we explored how organisations can embed GBV prevention into workplace culture. This included using gap analyses and tailored development plans to drive long-term change.
Meanwhile, Engender’s Primary Prevention and Political Promises workshop challenged participants to step into the role of policymakers — translating broad ambitions into tangible commitments. This exercise reinforced how critical it is to move beyond intention and ensure accountability in political decision-making.
Looking Beyond the Election Cycle
The final session encouraged participants to think beyond electoral timelines and consider what sustained, long-term prevention looks like. While political commitments are important, the work of preventing GBV must continue regardless of changing governments.
Key Takeaways
- Representation matters — but it must be inclusive, diverse, and supported.
- Gender-based violence is both a cause and consequence of inequality.
- Political spaces must become safer and more accessible for women.
- Prevention requires long-term, systemic change — not short-term commitments.
- Collaboration across policy, practice, and lived experience is essential.
Our Reflection
As an organisation focused on equity in STEM, attending this event was a valuable reminder that gender equality is deeply interconnected across sectors. While we may not always sit directly within political or policy spaces, the issues discussed — from workplace culture to structural inequality — are highly relevant to our work.
Creating safer, more inclusive environments is a shared responsibility. Whether in politics, workplaces, or education, sustained action is needed to ensure women can participate fully, safely, and equally.
