Self-care note: This wrap-up includes discussion of domestic abuse, 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. Scotland gives domestic abuse survivors stronger housing rights 🏠
New legal provisions have come into force in Scotland giving social landlords greater powers to help domestic abuse survivors remain in their homes, rather than forcing them to leave.
Under the changes, social landlords can apply to the courts to end an abuser’s tenancy and transfer it to the survivor where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Campaigners say the measures could reduce homelessness among women and children by shifting the consequences of abuse onto perpetrators instead of victims.
Scottish Women’s Aid welcomed the move as an important step towards improving safety and housing security for survivors. “We hope making abusive behaviour a ground for eviction, will reduce children’s and women’s homelessness by allowing housing officials to help survivors stay in their own homes, forcing the abuser to leave,” said Dr Marsha Scott, CEO of Scottish Women’s Aid.
Source: STV News
2. Far-right protesters exposed as men with histories of violence against women 🚩
Two men involved in recent far-right demonstrations in Glasgow have been publicly identified by the Daily Record as having histories of violence and abuse against women.
One man, who was filmed making a Nazi salute at the Unite the Clans rally, has previous convictions for assault and stalking. Former partners described years of physical abuse, coercive control and harassment following the end of their relationships.
A separate investigation identified another prominent protester demonstration as having a previous domestic abuse conviction. Two former partners publicly accused him of violent and controlling behaviour, describing a pattern of intimidation and physical abuse.
The revelations have prompted renewed scrutiny of far-right groups that claim to be campaigning to “protect women and children”, with campaigners arguing that domestic abuse and misogyny remain significant issues within some of these movements. Police Scotland has also said it is continuing investigations into offences committed during the demonstrations.
Source: Daily Record
3. Unions boycott Labour Women’s Conference over trans exclusion 🏳️⚧️
Four Labour-affiliated trade unions have said they will boycott the party’s Women’s Conference in Liverpool after trans women were excluded from its formal proceedings.
Unison, Aslef, Usdaw and the Musicians’ Union said the restrictions conflict with their policies on trans equality. Trans women will still be able to attend fringe events, but will not be permitted to take part in main-hall speeches, policy debates or other formal business.
Labour introduced the policy following the UK Supreme Court ruling on the interpretation of the term “woman” in the Equality Act.
Source: Metro
4. Women over 50 prioritise quality of life over longevity, study finds 🌿
Women over 50 consider quality of life more important than living longer, according to research from the University of East Anglia and University College London.
Men, on the other hand, appear to prioritise living longer.
The survey included more than 6,000 women over the age of 50 and is part of a wider analysis of how older people view healthcare and ageing.
The researchers said the study could help healthcare professionals start conversations with older patients about what matters most to them, rather than making assumptions.
Source: University of East Anglia
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5. Free pharmacy scheme helps women access morning-after pill 💊
Hundreds of thousands of women have accessed the morning-after pill through a new pharmacy scheme launched in England in October, new NHS figures show.
The scheme allows women to access the morning-after pill free of charge at local pharmacies instead of having to book an appointment with a GP or at a sexual health clinic. With the new scheme, waiting times are reduced, making it easier for women to access the pill when they need it.
The number of women asking pharmacists about the regular oral contraceptive pill also more than doubled over the past 12 months.
The morning-after pill helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex and can be taken up to three to five days afterwards.
Source: BBC News
6. High Court allows puberty blocker trial for young people to proceed ⚖️
A clinical trial examining the potential benefits and risks of puberty blockers for young people with long-term gender incongruence has been cleared to begin after the High Court rejected a legal challenge.
The Pathways trial, run by King’s College London, will recruit more than 220 participants aged 11 to 16. Researchers say those taking part will have undergone months of specialist assessment and will be subject to strict eligibility and safety requirements.
Opponents argued that the study could expose children to harm, but the judge ruled that their claims had no realistic prospect of succeeding. King’s College London said the trial had been approved by UK health research regulators and was designed to strengthen the limited evidence currently available about puberty suppression.
Source: The Guardian
7. Parenthood affects women more than men, new study finds 👶
According to a new study, becoming a parent affects women and men differently.
Conducted by the EHU-University of the Basque Country, the study examined changes in health indicators, such as psychological wellbeing, as well as lifestyle habits including physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking, following the arrival of a baby.
The findings show that while these measures change only slightly in men, women experience a much greater impact, with declines in their wellbeing and lower levels of physical activity.
The research team believes that a more equal sharing of parental responsibilities could help reduce these differences.
Source: News-Medical
8. LGBTQIA+ Russian journalists speak out after being forced into exile🏳️🌈
Journalists from Parni+, a Russian LGBTQIA+ publication, have spoken out about being forced into exile.
In April 2026, the publication was labelled an “extremist organisation” by a Russian court as a consequence of Russia’s “LGBT propaganda” law, which bans any public expression of LGBTQIA+ issues and identities in the country.
“I had just 24 hours to get out after criminal charges were brought against me. I bought a ticket, flew to the UK and applied for political asylum,” Parni+’s founder and editor-in-chief, Yevgeny Pisemsky, said.
The journalists spoke about the stress they went through while they were still in Russia and the traumatic experiences they faced after fleeing the country. For instance, Damir Musin, a peer counsellor at Parni+, said he had to move from country to country and live in temporary shelters. During his forced exile, he was also robbed.
Source: LGBTQNation
9. Countries must prioritise breastfeeding support, organisations say 🤱
For World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are urging countries to strengthen breastfeeding support, as too many families are unable to access it.
Currently, fewer than half of babies under six months of age worldwide are exclusively breastfed. Despite significant gains made over recent years, progress remains uneven, as the availability of services and policies that support breastfeeding is still limited.
Where possible, WHO and UNICEF recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed from within the first hour after birth until six months of age. Breastmilk is safe and clean, contains antibodies and all the essential nutrients babies need, and helps them grow and develop healthily, the organisations say.
Source: World Health Organization
