November 6th 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Scotland highlights human rights aspect of rurality

Rural proofing should be considered from the start of policy making, and not become a checklist of things that might be considered afterwards, a human rights expert has told the Scottish Parliament.

Speaking to the Scottish Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice committee Dr Alison Hosie, Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: “Human rights and equality impacts must be the starting point for decisions being made.”

In the debate, Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con) said that centralised healthcare can entrench gender inequality and geographical inequality, because services are becoming increasingly inaccessible.  She said: “People do not think about the cost of travel from a rural area to a major hospital or about the childcare or caring responsibilities that women have.”