SWBG blog

Empowering Voices: Why Disabled Women Matter in the Scottish Budget

Guest blog based on Jennifer Way-Ogunsola's reflections on our Women's Economic Empowerment Project.  Jennifer is a policy analyst and Masters Student at the Wise Centre for Economic Justice. 

The Power of Inclusion 

In Scotland's vibrant tapestry, a group often goes unheard- disabled women. These women face unique challenges, often overshadowed in discussions about the rising cost of living. Their struggles are deeply rooted in societal barriers that hinder full participation and inclusion. Through our work at the WISE Research Center in collaboration with other feminist organisations, we witness firsthand the hurdles women navigate on a daily basis due to their lives often being unseen in the policy and budget contexts. 

Sarah's Story: A Glimpse into Daily Realities 

Meet Sarah, a woman I recently spoke with during one of our workshops. Her infectious smile masks the everyday struggles she faces. Simple tasks like accessing healthcare or securing employment become significant challenges due to her needs been unseen and unmet. The rising cost of living hits her especially hard – heating her home, powering essential equipment, and even traveling have become more expensive. A lack of adequate social support compounds these difficulties. Sadly, Sarah's story isn't unique. Many disabled women face similar difficulties, often living in poverty due to limited job opportunities, high disability-related costs, and insufficient financial assistance. 

Statistics Paint a Stark Picture 

Beyond personal stories, statistics paint a concerning picture. Women in Scotland already face a 9.7% pay gap compared to men (Scottish Government, 2023). They are disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis. This disparity becomes even more pronounced for disabled women. A recent study by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found they are twice as likely to be living in poverty compared to non-disabled women. 

Why the Gap Exists: Gender Pay Gap and Limited Opportunities 

The reasons for this higher poverty rate are complex. One significant factor is the gender pay gap. Women in Scotland typically earn less, leaving them with fewer financial resources. For disabled women, the situation worsens due to limited employment opportunities; discriminatory hiring practices, lack of flexible work options, and inaccessible workplaces all contribute to lower employment rates within this group. Additionally, caring responsibilities often fall disproportionately on women, further hindering their ability to participate fully in the workforce. 

The Intersection of Disability and Gender: A Double Disadvantage 

Disabled women's challenges are intersectional. Their experiences go beyond being disabled or being a woman. These identities interact, creating unique obstacles. For example, a disabled woman may face physical barriers that prevent her from using public transportation, making it difficult to attend job interviews or training programs. Similarly, societal biases against both women and disabled individuals can create a double disadvantage in the workplace. 

The Scottish Budget: Its Impact and Why it Matters 

The Scottish budget isn't created overnight. It's a year-long process involving consultations, revisions, and parliamentary scrutiny. Ultimately, the budget allocates resources for vital programs directly impacting disabled women's lives. These include: 

• Independent Living Support: Provides financial assistance for daily living expenses and equipment for disabled individuals. 

• Carer's Support Payment: Recognizes the unpaid work of carers, often women, who support disabled family members. 

• Adult Disability Payment: Helps disabled people with the extra daily living costs. 

• Scottish Child Payment: Helps low-income families 

However, this support while welcome does not fully address the economic realities of disabled women because they do not adequately cover the extra expenses disabled households incur.  This has resulted in disabled women having to make difficult decisions about how they meet their needs. For example, choosing between skipping meals and heating their home. Recent research by SWBG and GDA found that 70% of women were cutting back on heating and 49% had skipped meals1. While the meager Carer’s Allowance/Carer’s Support Payment shows the limited value all levels of Government in the UK place on unpaid care. 

Failing to consider the readily available evidence about specific needs of disabled women in the budget process risks underfunding these crucial programs and further embedding inequality. Cuts to social care services could force them to rely on family members for basic care, limiting their independence. Similarly, reductions in public transportation subsidies could make it difficult for them to access essential services. 

Accessibility Barriers: A Hurdle to Participation 

Imagine wanting to participate in shaping your community and holding the government accountable but experiencing barriers, such as:   

• Limited Access to Information: Complex government processes and a lack of transparency in decision-making can make it difficult for women to understand how policies are shaped and hold the government accountable. 

• Underrepresentation in Advocacy Groups: Disabled women may be underrepresented in advocacy groups and civil society organizations that hold the government accountable. This limits their ability to influence policy and bring their perspectives to the forefront. 

This is the reality for many disabled women in Scotland, making it difficult for them to have their voices heard. 

Lessons Learned and Paving the Way Forward 

Our work with women highlights key steps to promote disabled women's participation. These are: 

• Education: Policymakers need better information on the lived experience of disabled women. 

• Breaking Down Barriers: Ensure barriers disabled women face that discourage participation in the governance process are removed. 

• Seeking Their Voice: Actively involve disabled women in the consultation and decision-making process. 

• Empowering Voices: Provide platforms for disabled women to share their experiences and advocate for change. 

• Gender Budgeting: Analyze how budgets impact different groups, ensuring resources promote equality. 

The Transformative Power of Gender Budgeting 

Gender budgeting is a visionary approach that analyzes budgets through a lens of inclusivity and equality. By considering the differential impacts on diverse groups, policymakers can craft policies that address specific needs and promote social cohesion. Stories like Sarah's and testimonies from individuals empowered showcase the potential for a more equitable future, which gender budgeting can actualize. 

A Call to Action: Empowering Voices for Change 

• Educate and Advocate: Learn more about gender budgeting and how it can benefit disabled women. Share this knowledge with your networks and encourage them to take action. 

• Engage with Policymakers: Contact your MSP and urge them to consider the specific needs of disabled women in the budget. 

By working together, we can ensure the Scottish budget truly reflects the needs of all citizens, including disabled women.