Gender equality issues
Reid Howie Associates has
undertaken a large amount of work which focuses on gender equality issues.
Generally, the recognition of equalities issues and the importance of the promotion of equality underpins the work that we do. We have an Equality Policy to which all staff and subcontractors must adhere. We are committed to the involvement of people from communities of interest in research, and recognise that they are likely to have the most appropriate expertise and to be able to provide advice which will enhance the work.
Gender issues have been central to our work from the outset and continue to be a major part of our focus. The types of work which we have undertaken are described below.
RHA has always had a close involvement in violence against women and domestic abuse work. We carried out research in 2010 to assess progress being made by public bodies in addressing the ministerial priority on violence against women under the Gender Duty. RHA also analysed responses to the Scottish Government's consultation on proposals relating to forced marriages in 2009.
We have also carried out a number of evaluations relating to violence against women work. For example, we carried out an evaluation in 2010 of a Women’s Aid counselling service. We also evaluated the pilot domestic abuse court in Glasgow. We have carried out a series of evaluations of the Fife Domestic Abuse Forum Training and Awareness Campaign, funded through the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund, and we evaluated the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund for the Scottish Executive.
We have also assisted organisations with the preparation of domestic abuse strategies, as well as carrying out reviews of domestic abuse work undertaken. We also prepared guidance to member states on all aspects of violence against women for the Council of Europe in 2002.
In the late 1990s, we carried out research for the Scottish Office to examine service provision to women experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland, and subsequently provided research support to the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse which developed the National Strategy.
In 1997, we also updated a report examining domestic abuse for the Council of Europe and produced recommendations for governments.
In 1995, we carried out a large scale survey to examine attitudes to violence against women in Fife, in advance of the Zero Tolerance campaign.
We have also carried work relating to sexual abuse. For example, we carried out an audit of sexual abuse services in Fife and previously undertook evaluations of Dunfermline Incest Survivors’ Project and Kirkcaldy Area Abuse Survivors’ Project. In 2003, we evaluated a campaign to raise public awareness of child sexual abuse.
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RHA has been involved in carrying out the analysis of responses to the Scottish Government consultation on the child poverty strategy in Scotland, issued in late 2010. As part of this work, we undertook a range of focus group discussions with parents and other adults with responsibility for caring for children across Scotland.
We also carried out evaluations in 2010 of a Buddy project for lone parents and a Teenage Parents project. We have also undertaken evaluations of projects and organisations providing a range of types of support to parents in particular circumstances.
We have also carried out a number of studies of childcare needs through the years, and have undertaken these in the following areas:
- Abbeyview (Dunfermline)
- Cupar
- High Valleyfield
- Kelty
- Kirkcaldy
- Levenmouth
In the early 2000’s, we carried out work for Fife Childcare and Early Years Strategy to identify the need for out of school childcare in Fife as part of the ‘School’s Out’ initiative. We also produced a guide to the establishment of private childcare for Fife Council.
In 1998, we conducted a mapping exercise of projects and services available providing support to parenting in Scotland.
In 1994/95 we carried out work to develop and update an out of school childcare guide. We also produced training materials for out of school childcare schemes.
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RHA has also carried out work relating to other aspects of gender equality.
Some of this work has had a specific focus on criminal justice, and we have carried out a research programme for the Scottish Prison Service focusing on women prisoners. This included an examination of the needs of women prisoners in Scotland. We have also carried out interviews and group discussions with women prisoners as part of other studies (such as the Reducing Reoffending consultation and an evaluation of the Rough Sleepers Initiative). RHA also carried out a literature review for the Scottish Executive of issues relating to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.
Some of our work has focused on gender issues relating to employment and training, and in 2010 we carried out a review of progress being made by public bodies in relation to addressing the ministerial priority of tackling occupational segregation under the Gender Duty. We have also carried out research to identify training needs relating to domestic abuse, and have carried out work to explore training needs and opportunities for women in a specific geographical area. In 2001, we carried out work for Scottish Enterprise Fife to explore employer provision of work/life balance policies.
Some of our evaluations have also focused on particular initiatives to tackle gender inequality, and examples include: the evaluation of a women’s development programme (the Chrysalis programme) undertaken by Aberdeenshire Council; the evaluation of provision through a Women’s Network; a Working for Families programme; and a women’s development programme in a rural area in Fife.
We have carried out work relating to transport and gender, and carried out a review of a ‘Safer Travel for Women’ initiative in Fife. In the late 1990s we carried out a study of women and transport for the Scottish Executive and developed new guidelines for gender auditing.
More generally, gender issues are considered, examined and highlighted as part of the range of other research projects which are carried out by RHA.
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All of this work has helped to develop our expertise in gender equality work. This continues to be a major area of interest and the focus of a considerable amount of RHA’s research and this will continue to be the case.
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