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Women’s experiences of discrimination and the impact on health – publication of research findings

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 29th June 2023

The Scottish Government research study was conducted as part of Women’s Health Plan and supported by the ALLIANCE.

The ALLIANCE is pleased to see the publication of a new research report exploring women and girls’ experiences of various forms of discrimination, and the impact that these experiences have on their health and health outcomes.

The report brings together findings from an in-depth research project, led by Scottish Government researchers, and centres the experiences of women and girls across Scotland. The ALLIANCE was pleased to partner with the Scottish Government within the project, bringing our expertise in lived experience engagement.

The research corresponds to actions within the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan, and seeks to build an evidence base on women’s health inequalities, with specific focus on the impact of sexism, racism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination including homophobia and transphobia on women’s health.

There are three parts to this report. The first examines the current evidence base and provides a rationale for the research approach. The second part reports on a series of focus groups with women from different backgrounds. The final part describes the methods and analysis of in-depth interviews with young women aged 16-25 years.

Women in this research described being discriminated against in multiple ways and through cultural, institutional and interpersonal levels. The discrimination described by women in these studies was almost always intersectional, but usually underpinned by gendered inequalities. Discrimination had a very tangible effect on women’s physical and mental health, including through unequal access to healthcare and delays in referrals, diagnosis and treatment.

Key themes emerged from both the focus groups and interviews, including:

  • “Excuses for not investigating”
  • The concept of ‘health’ as gendered, and structural sexism
  • Navigating racial discrimination
  • The importance of self-advocacy
  • Ageist sexism
  • Socio-economic disadvantages
  • Experiences with hormonal contraception
  • Mental health

An overview of the thematic findings can be found on pg 5 of the report and in-depth analysis is throughout.

The report can be read here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/womens-experiences-discrimination-impact-health/

Contact socialresearch@gov.scot with queries

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