A group of young women from across Scotland have created a report to better understand the extent to which young women have a voice in decisions that affect them. This follows the First Minister’s announcement of phase 2 of Democracy Matters at the 2024 COSLA Conference last week, a report which explores people’s engagement with politics in Scotland, looking at this topic with a particular focus on young women’s needs. 

The project was part of Young Women Lead, a leadership programme delivered by The Young Women’s Movement – Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights – in collaboration with Scottish Parliament. 

Through consultation with experts, exploring their own experiences and reviewing reports, political structures and policy, the Young Women Lead 2024 report identifies problems which affect young women’s trust in societal systems such as education, healthcare, justice and politics: from lack of support mechanisms for gender-based violence in schools to a perceived lack of accountability for those in power which de-incentivises them from advocating in young women’s interests. 

The report calls for improvements to safeguarding mechanisms for young women in public platforms to protect them from hate speech, misogynistic harassment and grooming. They also call for more accessible ways for young women to engage with their elected representatives; better schooling about how our systems of democracy work; mentorship opportunities for young women to safely enter politics and other positions of power; and better regulation against misinformation online. 

Muminah Koleoso, Young Women Lead participant, said: ‘Young Women Lead has highlighted the power that every voice, vote and individual holds in the community and wider society, especially as young women. It’s empowering to know that we can use our voices to create meaningful change.’ 

Jenni Snell, CEO of The Young Women’s Movement, said: ‘Young women are under-represented across the board in Scottish politics. This lack of representation for young women, especially those with compounding inequalities, makes it harder for them to find their place in public life. It is vital to our society’s wellbeing that the voices of all demographics are equally heard and valued. A huge thank you to this year’s Young Women Lead cohort for their work on this important topic, and to Scottish Parliament for their support.’ 

The findings of Young Women Lead 2024 have influenced The Young Women’s Movement’s upcoming Status of Young Women in Scotland research which this time will focus on young women’s rights in Scotland and consider the themes highlighted by the 2024 Young Women Leaders. The full report on young women’s democratic wellbeing can be found on The Young Women’s Movement’s website. 

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Notes to editors 

Please direct all media requests to Abi Baross, Communications and Influencing Lead at The Young Women’s Movement, at abi@youngwomenscot.org or on 07733 025610. 
Please note, The Young Women’s Movement operates on a Monday–Thursday 4-day week. 

The Young Women’s Movement
The Young Women’s Movement is Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights. We are local in action and national in impact.
Young women are at the heart of everything we do. They inform, shape and lead our organisation and the work we do. We work alongside young women to amplify their voices and take action.  Our vision is a fairer Scotland for all self-identifying young women and girls. 
For 100 years, we have been a collective force changing things for the better for young women in Scotland. 
Find us online at youngwomenscot.org, or find us on @youngwomenscot on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.