In this article, Young Women Demand steering group member Laura explains how young women can make the most of hustings.

What is a hustings and what will one look like? 

A hustings is a public meeting between voters and candidates standing for election. We, as voters, can directly question candidates about issues that we care about and affect our lives. Each hustings focuses on a particular issue, such as gender equality or disability rights, with questions shaped around that theme. We can hear politicians’ promises in their own words and hold them to account after the election. Especially for voters from marginalised communities, hustings are a dedicated space where commonly sidelined issues can be placed at the centre of discussions. 

A hustings will usually have between 4 – 6 party representatives attending, with a ‘chair’ or spokesperson who will moderate the meeting. They typically last between 1 and 2 hours and can be held in person or online. After a short introduction from each candidate, it’s time to ask questions about the issues you care about. 

The upcoming Hustings for Women’s Equality on 30thMarch is a great opportunity to ask politicians questions about young women’s human rights, safety, or healthcare in Scotland. Outside of hustings, these issues are often not mentioned in their political party manifestos or promotional materials. Usually, you submit questions beforehand and the chair of the event will pick questions for candidates to answer. If there is a question you really want to ask, submit it to the organisers beforehand for the best shot. However, sometimes there is the opportunity to ask extra questions from the audience on the day. 

Charities, faith groups, local businesses, and organisations are most likely to host hustings in the run up to an election. But anyone can organise a hustings! Check out Elect Her’s fantastic resource if you want to organise your own. 

Why are hustings important?

“If we design for the most marginalised, we actually design for everyone.” – Cynthia Enloe, feminist writer and theorist

The most important reason hustings are important is that they are a great way to help you decide who to vote for. (Remember to register to vote before the 20th April!)

They are one of the best tools we have for figuring out who will genuinely represent our needs in parliament, which is, after all, exactly what  MSPs are elected to do. With an election just around the corner, politicians are eager to connect with voters. They are likely to be listening more attentively than at other times in the electoral cycle.

It is a moment to watch how politicians respond to direct questions: do they answer authentically, and with genuine care? Are they silent? Evasive? Listen to your gut feeling, as who we vote for is not always based on what politicians say but on what they don’t say. 

Politics can feel abstract and disingenuous but attending a hustings can provide an

opportunity to make politics tangible by putting you face to face with the candidates themselves. It is a rare space where the people who are supposed to represent you must show up, listen, and answer directly for what they plan to do about the issues that matter to you.

Too often, people in power speak for or about young women, rather than listening and directly engaging with us. Attending a political event such as a hustings makes our voices and demands heard.

Reflections on my experience at a recent hustings

I often feel uninspired, excluded, and mistrustful when I see politicians discuss their political aspirations. Too often, when politicians discuss gender equality and women’s online safety, it doesn’t ring true to me. It feels like empty promises. Recently, with the rise of far-right rhetoric, the issue of women and girls’ safety has been used to justify and scapegoat an anti-migrant stance. This pseudo, superficial, and fleeting interest in gender equality fails to engage with what young women themselves are saying and moves us away from real progress. 

So, when I recently got the opportunity to attend my first hustings in Edinburgh as a member of Young Women Demand, I wanted to go and engage with politicians outside of online spaces, and see for myself what politicians were pitching. It was a hustings organised to discuss the charity and third sector in Scotland. I had no idea what to expect, and

like many young women voters, had never even heard of the word ‘hustings’ before going. 

What immediately struck me was the age of the candidates and attendees — I felt like the only person under the age of 35. When traditional methods of engaging in democracy already feel so inaccessible and unrelatable to young women voters, the lack of young people being represented both on the audience and on stage felt significant. When young women don’t see themselves represented in positions of power, it feels harder to be heard and to enact change. Research by Glasgow Caledonian University shows that young women report significantly lower political confidence than young men, and despite a desire to engage with politics, can feel isolated and alone when attempting to advocate their rights. 

I personally felt this when I attended. Although young people were not the focus of the event, when young women in third sector spaces were mentioned, they felt dismissive and minimal. Specifically, the role of women volunteers was not mentioned until an hour into an hour-and-a-half long event, and I felt it was misrepresented. The politicians on stage mostly hailed a lack of desire of young people to volunteer. As many of you reading know, this is not true. Rather than a lack of desire, it often comes down to a lack of access. Considering the huge role of paid and unpaid female labour in the volunteering sector, this moment stood out to me and highlighted the need for women’s issues to be forced into the limelight. To do this, we need people like you and me to be represented at these events. I left this event wanting more. More representation, more access, and more honest discussions. 

We need to ask why these traditional spaces feel exclusionary to young women voters, and how we can change this. We need young people in Scotland to feel that their votes and voices are represented in politics. Women facing intersecting inequalities, such as disabled women, LGBTQ+ women, and women of colour face the largest barriers to political participation. Attending a hustings provides a dedicated space where these issues must be discussed. A first step to increasing young women’s political literacy and confidence can be making more traditional forms of political engagement, such as hustings, accessible and known to young women voters across Scotland. 

I want to live in a Scotland where all women and girls feel represented by politicians and where we can safely advocate for our needs. In the lead-up to the Scottish election on the 7th of May is an important time to get involved and make your voice heard. 

Attend a hustings. Ask the questions that matter to you. Demand answers and change. Don’t watch politics happen. Take part.

Hustings top tips

• Prepare and submit questions in advance – think about what issues matter most to you personally.
• Bring a friend or family member!
• Research the candidates beforehand – if they are seeking re-election, look at their previous voting history. Knowing their voting record and stance on issues and interests will prepare you for their reaction and what to expect in their answer. Have they actively voted against the interest of young women and girls? A hustings is your opportunity to challenge them publicly and put their stance on record.  
• Take notes on what candidates say and commit to – you may want to hold them accountable after the election.
• Push for concrete commitments, rather than vague statements, ask candidates specifically what they will do if elected, not just what they believe.
• Follow up afterwards – check the candidates’ social media or website to see if they follow through on commitments made.
• It’s ok to just listen – You don’t need to be an expert on politics; you just need to attend! 

What sort of questions can I ask at a hustings? 

You can base your question on statistics, on your own personal experience or about an issue that you want to hear their perspective on. Be specific and make sure you ask a clear question. Don’t forget each candidate will get the opportunity to answer your question. Listen to how each candidate answers, and how they differ. Even if a politician dodges the question, remember that the audience is listening and cares about your perspective.

If you are unsure where to start, feel free to check out The Young Women’s Movement’s  research hub for relevant research and statistics or look at the Young Women Demand manifesto to base your question around and as a reminder of our demands. 

Check out these example questions below if you need inspiration!

Example questions

“The Status of Young Women in Scotland 2024/2025 research shows that 1 in 4 young women in Scotland do not trust public authorities to uphold their human rights – particularly the police, the criminal justice system, and the healthcare system. If you are elected, what specifically will you do to rebuild that trust?”

“Research shows that young women are disproportionately targeted by online harassment. I personally don’t feel safe posting publicly online as a young woman. How will you hold tech companies accountable to manage sexism and misogyny online, and how will you address online gender-based violence?”

“The women’s sector in Scotland only receives 1.8% of charitable funding, leading many women to feel forgotten by public services. Will you commit to increasing funding for the women’s sector?” 

“The latest statistics show that hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation have been increasing over the last five years, particularly for trans people. For many LGBTQ+ women healthcare, political, and public spaces feel exclusionary and hostile. Do you promise to shape policy and legislation which increases the safety of LGBTQ+ women in Scotland?”

“Young women across Scotland are telling us that they feel unheard, underrepresented, and disengaged from politics. Our (SYWS 24-25) research shows that 1 in 2 young women in Scotland don’t trust politicians to advocate for their human rights, with 58% of young women feeling like they have no involvement in decisions about how Scotland is run. What specific, concrete steps will your party take to meaningfully engage young women in democracy beyond election campaigns, but in ongoing policy decisions?”

“Scotland has the potential to be a worldwide leader on gender equality, where all women feel that their needs are met by the government. How exactly will you shape future policies and investment to meet the needs of all women in Scotland?”

“Women’s human rights should be a non-partisan issue. Will you work together with MSPs from all parties to ensure the introduction of a Human Rights Bill for Scotland?”

“I have sat in a GP’s office and felt dismissed because of my age and my gender. Will you prioritise the Women’s Health plan as an important policy area?” 

“I don’t hear my needs and human rights being prioritised or listened to by politicians. How will you ensure women and underrepresented groups are represented and included in political participation?” 

Upcoming hustings you can attend:

Below is a list of upcoming hustings you can attend. Be sure to keep an eye out for local hustings happening in your area! 

Women’s equality hustings: Hustings for Women’s Equality: Holyrood 2026 
When: Monday, March 30th 2026
Time: 7pm to 8:30pm
Where: Online

Inclusion Scotland hustings for disability inclusion and rights: Disabled People’s Question Time – Hustings 2026 
When: Wednesday, March 25th 2026
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Where: Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LR

Scotland 2050 the National hustings: Scotland 2050: The National Hustings 
When: Tuesday, March 31st 2026
Time: 6pm to 7:15pm
Where: Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LR

Amnesty international human rights hustings: Human Rights Hustings: Scotland 2026 
When: Wednesday, April 1st 2026
Time: 7pm to 8:15pm
Where: Online

Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland: ALLIANCE 2026 Scottish Parliament Election Hustings:
When: Wednesday April 8th 2026
Time: 3pm  to 4:30pm
Where: Online

Young Friends of the Earth Scotland: Scottish Young Climate Coalition Hustings 
When: Wednesday, April 22nd 2026
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Where: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL

John Smith Centre: Scottish Hustings for Young People
When: Tuesday, April 28th 2026
Time: 6pm to 7:30pm
Where: St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh High Street, EH1 1RE 

Other important links: 

Read our Young Women Demand Manifesto 

More info about the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections