Self-care note: This wrap-up includes discussion of women’s health, miscarriage, racism, anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and behaviours, gender based violence, and more. If you find this distressing or triggering, remember to take it at your own pace. You may prefer to read small sections, wait until you feel ready to read it all, or choose not to read it at all.
1. UK Government urged to extend paternity leave for new dads 👶
The Scottish Greens have called on the UK Government to extend paternity leave, arguing that the current entitlement of two weeks is not enough for many new families.
Eligible fathers and partners can currently take up to two weeks of statutory paternity leave. The party said longer leave and better parental support are needed to help new parents bond with their babies, support partners recovering from childbirth and manage rising household costs.
The UK Government said it has already changed the law to expand access to paternity leave and is carrying out a full review of parental pay and leave.
Source: The National
2. Two thirds of Scots in mental health crisis not admitted after going to A&E 🧠
Two thirds of people in Scotland who sought urgent mental health support from A&E last year were not admitted to hospital, according to a new investigation by The Ferret.
Figures released under freedom of information laws show that more than 30,000 people went to A&E in a mental health crisis in 2025, but 66% were not given either a mental health or general hospital bed. The investigation also found long waits for community mental health support, with maximum waiting times of more than three years recorded in half of Scotland’s health boards.
Families who spoke to The Ferret said they had struggled to access help for loved ones experiencing life-threatening mental health symptoms. Campaigners say the findings point to a system under serious strain, while health boards said not everyone attending A&E needs a bed and some people are supported in the community.
Source: The Ferret
3. Labour MP calls for mandatory sex education up to 18 📚
Relationships and sex education for 16 to 18-year-olds could become mandatory under a new private member’s bill introduced by Labour MP Alistair Strathern.
The bill aims to close gaps in provision for young people in further education, extending teaching on healthy relationships, coercive control and abuse.
Strathern said teenagers are increasingly exposed to harmful online content, making reliable information and support from trusted adults more important.
The campaign group Make it Mandatory, along with the End Violence Against Women Coalition and the Sex Education Forum, welcomed the bill.
Supporters say extending RSE could help prevent harm and ensure young people are better equipped to navigate their first romantic and sexual relationships.
Source: BBC News
4. More than one in four people buy pain relief during menstruation, new study finds 🩸
A new study analysed loyalty card data from a leading UK health and beauty retailer and found that 26,7 per cent of people who menstruate buy pain relief alongside menstrual products across England.
By analysing more than 211 million transactions, the researchers also found significant differences across income levels and regions. Regions with lower average incomes recorded 32 per cent fewer pain-relief purchases than higher-income regions.
According to the study, paracetamol was the most commonly purchased painkiller, despite doctors saying that ibuprofen is generally more effective for menstrual cramps.
Source: Plos
5. HPV vaccine cuts cervical cancer death risk to near zero 💉
A new study has found that young women vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus) at the age of 12-13 have a close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and led by Queen Mary University of London, the study found that deaths from cervical cancer have fallen sharply since the vaccine was first offered to girls in 2008. The findings suggest that around 200 lives have been saved in England so far.
HPV is a common group of viruses which includes more than 100 different types. Some types can cause cancer.
Source: BBC News
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6. Irish parliament votes to scrap three-day abortion waiting period ⚖️
Ireland’s parliament has voted to remove the mandatory three-day waiting period currently required before someone can access an abortion in early pregnancy.
The waiting period was introduced in 2018 as part of the legislation that followed Ireland’s historic referendum to repeal the constitutional ban on abortion. Supporters of the change argue the delay creates an unnecessary barrier to healthcare and can add stress at an already difficult time.
The bill passed the Dáil by 86 votes to 70 and will now continue through the legislative process. If approved, it would mark one of the most significant changes to Ireland’s abortion laws since legalisation, with campaigners describing it as a step towards more accessible reproductive healthcare.
Source: The Guardian
7. Milan prosecutors investigate tram drivers over CCTV images of women passengers 🚋
Prosecutors in Milan have opened an investigation into a WhatsApp group where around a dozen tram drivers allegedly shared images of women passengers taken from onboard security cameras.
According to Reuters, the case came to light after a woman travelling on a tram noticed an off-duty driver looking at a chat containing images focused on parts of women’s bodies, alongside comments and jokes. She photographed the screen and later reported the incident.
The investigation is reportedly focused on alleged unauthorised access to an IT system. Milan’s public transport operator, ATM, has also opened an internal investigation, saying CCTV is installed to protect passengers and staff.
Source: Reuters
8. Japanese government seeks to promote LGBTQIA+ awareness 🏳️🌈
On Tuesday, the Japanese government adopted a new plan aimed at promoting awareness of LGBTQIA+ identities.
The plan calls for awareness-raising programmes, support for academic research, and the promotion of understanding of LGBTQIA+ people.
The plan is intended to be used as guidance by central and local government bodies, as well as by schools and companies.
Source: Nippon
9. New law would threaten trans people in Kyrgyzstan, advocates say 🏳️⚧️
A new draft law being discussed in Kyrgyzstan would threaten trans people’s lives, advocates warn.
The bill, which is now before Parliament, would ban legal gender recognition and gender-affirming healthcare, while also restricting information about gender and gender diversity.
The only gender-affirming healthcare that would be permitted would be in cases of what the bill calls “congenital anomalies”, likely referring to intersex variations.
Advocates also fear that Parliament could fast-track the bill’s approval, leaving little time for discussion and scrutiny.
Source: Human Rights Watch
