The vast majority of girls and young women in Scotland would like to see the achievements of women better represented in their schools’ curriculum, according to a survey.
The Girlguiding Scotland research - which asked for the views of over 500 girls and young women aged between 7 and 25 across the country - also found 84 per cent said they had learned little or nothing about gender equality in school.
Meanwhile, 64 per cent of girls said they felt pressure to succeed at school and 78 per cent aged between 13 and 25 said they had learned little or nothing about sexual consent in personal and social education.
The variable quality of personal and social education - which has been criticised for being “low status” and “a waste of time” - has come under the spotlight in Scotland in recent times, with concerns raised in particular about whether pupils were being taught what consent means, both in terms of giving it and recognising it in others.
Girlguiding Scotland’s research also showed 15 per cent of the respondents felt unhappy most of the time.
Louise Macdonald, chairwoman of first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s advisory council on women and girls, said: “It is shocking that in 2018 nearly eight in 10 girls in Scotland say they experience gender inequality in their day-to-day lives, that nearly one in two girls feel they would have more freedom if they were a boy and that 45 per cent of girls say becoming a leader in their careers will be harder because they are female.
“These figures, and the many others like them in this research, show that for all our progress we still have a long way to go to ensure girls in Scotland can feel truly equal in their everyday lives and future careers.”
She added: “I hope these findings will challenge decision-makers, educators, employers and everyone with a stake in girls’ lives to play their part in delivering an equal future for girls as a matter of urgency.”
Around half of the girls surveyed said they thought they would have more freedom to go out by themselves if they were a boy (46 per cent). And whilst around two-thirds of girls aged 7-11 strongly agree they can do anything a boy can do (61 per cent), this drops to 45 per cent for girls aged 12 and 17, and to 39 per cent for girls aged 18 and 25.
However, the women and girls surveyed had high expectations for equal treatment at home and in the workplace - with 86 per cent saying they anticipate splitting childcare and housework equally with their partner.
Meanwhile, 91 per cent said they expected to have the same career opportunities as men despite 45 per cent believing it will be harder for them to be a leader in their field because they are female.
Hannah Brisbane, Girlguiding Scotland’s lead volunteer for voice, said: “As our new research shows, gender inequality casts a long shadow over girls’ everyday lives and their views of the future.
“We want to create a future where girls know the only limit on what they can achieve is their imagination and a present where girls can feel safe and happy in their everyday lives.”
She added: “We hope this research will play an important role in highlighting the issues girls are up against and how we can all play a part in making Scotland the best possible place to be a girl.”
