The willingness to shape policy that reflects women’s lived reality
- Written by: Susan, Scottish Women's Convention —
- Published: 27th January 2026
The ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
I’m Susan, Manager at the Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC). We joined the Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Group because women’s health is inseparable from everyday equality — from maternity care to rural access, from mental health to the gendered impacts of poverty. Over the past year the group has given the SWC a space to bring the lived experience we gather across Scotland into direct conversations with policy makers.
Through the group we have taken part in in‑person development days and workshops where women’s lived experience shaped practical priorities for Phase 2. What stood out was the breadth of voices: women from island and rural communities, young people, older women, disabled women and those with lived experience of violence. The SWC roadshows in places such as the Isle of Lewis and Harris, Largs and Millport, and Perth fed into those discussions, and we used evidence from our maternity conference, survey and roundtables to highlight gaps in local services and the need for trauma‑informed care.
What we have appreciated most is the genuine willingness from those involved with the Women’s Health plan to listen and to shape policy against lived reality. Involving lived experience isn’t tokenistic here. It changes priorities, explains practical barriers and points to where funding and service design must shift.
Working on Phase 2 has also meant meaningful collaboration with organisations across the sector. We’ve met with Health and Social Care Partnerships, NHS Scotland, the Poverty Alliance, Making Rights Real, North Highland Women’s Wellbeing Hub, African Caribbean Women’s Association, Shakti, Glasgow Disability Alliance, and many grassroots groups. These conversations have informed recommendations on rural healthcare, maternity journeys, mental health supports and the intersection of poverty and women’s health. We were invited to speak at events because of this work and held two events of our own regarding Maternity Journey’s and Misogyny in Education. We spoke at Delivering Equally Safe workshops and parliamentary roundtables — opportunities that helped close the loop between women’s lived experience and policy.
Our hope for the future is simple: a Women’s Health Plan that embeds equity across services, funds community‑based supports, and ensures that rural, disabled and marginalised women see real improvements in care. We are proud that the SWC’s grassroots engagement has helped shape Phase 2, and we look forward to continuing to hold decision‑makers to account so that women’s voices remain central to implementation of the Plan.
End of page.
You may also like:
The ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond marks 20 years of the ALLIANCE and looks ahead to a future built on hope.
Continue readingOur Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on hope, action and why human rights must remain at the heart of how we shape the future.
Continue readingAs Phase 2 is launched, Dr. Irene Oldfather shares her reflections on how the ALLIANCE has contributed to the Women's Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Lived Experience Group reflect on their input to Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingThe somatic approach, from Louise Davidson, host of the Self Management Week event ‘Calm the Storm: Movement & Breath to Lower Cortisol’.
Continue readingAs we enter the new year, 2026 is an important milestone for the ALLIANCE; it is our 20 year anniversary.
Continue readingReflections on the role of peer support for women’s health in Scotland
Continue readingDr Rebekah Ballantyne, a speaker at the Self Management Week 2025 webinar ‘IFIC: What I need to lead’, shares her self management insights.
Continue readingLucy reflects on what’s needed to progress rights in Scotland.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond explores how Scotland can move from coping to truly thriving.
Continue readingIn this part two of two opinion pieces, Satya Dunning offers us ideas for healthy eating and lifestyle habits during the colder months.
Continue readingIn this part one of two opinion pieces, Satya Dunning reflects on nutrition as part of self management during the colder months.
Continue readingWhy working together, not against, is key to creating a digitally included society.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond shares her thoughts on hope being a much needed tool in building change that lasts.
Continue readingJane shares a new resource which explores good practice examples of rights-based decision-making.
Continue readingDr Hannah Tweed discusses the inclusive communications campaign the ALLIANCE launched in early 2025, and how you can get involved.
Continue readingCarola, disability and mental health advocate, shares her thoughts on the current state of mental health services in Scotland.
Continue readingIt’s time for an open conversation about the value of community health organisations and how we, as a sector, respond to changing demands.
Continue readingSara discusses how truly listening and acting on what we hear is the only way that true and real change can be made.
Continue readingReflection is key to making long-term change; but is the recent period of reflection by the government enough to drive this action?
Continue readingALLIANCE Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, shares her thoughts and reflections on the recent open letter to the First Minister.
Continue reading