New research shows that less than four in ten women in the UK believe the Government is focusing on issues that matter most to them in its response to the pandemic – this compares to 50% of men. The briefing is published jointly with UK Women's Budget Group, Engender and Close the Gap (Scotland), Women Equality Network Wales, and Northern Ireland Women’s Budget Group (NIWBG). 

The research was funded by Standard Life Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust.

Click here to read the briefing

This briefing presents results from across the United Kingdom. It draws on sub-samples of respondents in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, to highlight the ways in which women across the nations have experienced the pandemic differently. It explores variations in attitudes among women and outlines how these attitudes can be explained by women’s different positionings.

Key findings include:

• Less than four in ten women (38%), compared with half of men (50%), believe that with regard to its coronavirus response, the UK Government is focusing on issues that matter most to them. The rate is lowest among young women (32%), women on low household incomes (32%), Disabled women (32%) and single women (25%).
• Fewer women (43%) agree that the UK Government is acting in their best interest compared to 50% of men. Young women (31%), Disabled women (32%) and single women (25%) are least likely to agree.
• Only three in ten (29%) women and 35% of men agree that women’s specific needs have been considered and responded to well by the UK Government.

This new research demonstrates that the government must do more to support women and girls as focus turns towards recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. It is essential that women have a voice at Government’s decision-making table.

Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels.