Rural Community Gateway

The Highlands & Islands Equality Forum’s (HIEF) recent conference, Equal Opportunities in Rural Scotland: working together on a practical vision to bridge current barriers to social inclusion, highlighted the rural dimension of equality and diversity. Although the idea that additional barriers to equal opportunities are experienced by marginalised groups in Scotland just because they live in rural areas is not new, but it is being treated increasingly seriously by the event's sponsors, the Scottish Government and the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

A few brave individuals came along and told powerful, personal stories of how it has felt to be discriminated against because of their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, faith or age. However, we also learnt how our storytellers changed negative experiences into positive ones and we used this to prompt a debate on the practical things we can all do in our communities to open up opportunity for all in a fair way.

The main issues faced in rural areas include the fact that rural Scotland is viewed as a homogeneous entity, when in fact each of us may have quite different needs. The ‘rural identity’ is seen as slow to change and adjust to new ideas, unlike that of city dwellers used to an ever-changing world. Because of that, the diversity of our communities can often be wrongly viewed as a threat to our identity when in fact diversity simply adds a richness of differences we have one to another. Prejudicial stereotyping and intolerance between faith, race and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender groups is widespread in our rural communities and there are stubborn pockets of small town mindsets where rumours cause misery to significant numbers of people. Sensitivity may be lacking and confidentiality can be difficult in small communities where everyone knows everyone else’s business. People from minority groups may be extra visible in a rural setting (such as black and ethnic minorities, Sikhs, those with mental health issues etc) and some live an ‘invisible’ life as a homosexual or transgender person because of fear of being reviled as being ‘too different’.

Our rural geography means that it is difficult for sufficient numbers of minority groups to come together for the support that they might enjoy in an urban setting. People of different faiths would welcome the opportunity to meet together as would certain race groups and those with specific disabilities. Sparse numbers of single interest groups means that specialist services may not be available as they tend to be supplied according to numbers not needs. And it is difficult for public agencies such as councils, police and health boards to engage with a widespread community as part of their legal obligations under the Public Equality Duties on Race, Gender and Disability where there is no ‘critical mass’ of different interest groups.

Communication across a sparsely populated area is difficult and, as with the difficulties of public transport, this can add indirect barriers to the people who are most likely to be excluded from society. Increased use of Internet technology can be a positive solution to scattered communities but becomes a new barrier to those who cannot access the technology – either because of cost or visual impairment. Finding suitable public transport to coincide with shift working, or to take a child to a childminder before travelling in a different direction to work, or to enable an elderly or disabled person to get out of the house: all of that is difficult in large parts of our rural areas.

Key learning from the Conference and a series of three follow-up roundtable discussion groups was that it is not enough to create a wish list for the Government or the Commission; we need all to work together to break down the barriers faced by some individuals in our society. Only then will we be able to ensure they stay viable in the face of demographic change which will see over 50 percent of us over the age of 40 by the year 2020. To ensure that we can use the full potential of all our citizens, we need to see beyond labelling people as ‘black’ or ‘disabled’ or ‘gay’ etc and using that to treat them less favourably than others.

HIEF works to help all sections of the community understand the need for equal opportunities and gives free training on our rights and responsibilities under current equality legislation. They also offer sessions that examine attitudes and prejudices. It is really important that we keep small communities, and marginalised groups within them, connected to each other. HIEF has an extensive network in Highlands and Islands and is currently seeking funding to grow a Scotland-wide network of those with an interest in equality and diversity. In this way, we can overcome the lack of ‘critical mass’ by putting people in touch with each other and with information, resources and understanding.

Highlands R Us on Tuesday 8th July 2008 in Falcon Square, Inverness (11am – 4pm), will be a colourful and exciting celebration of Highland diversity with lots of fun activities on stage and for all ages in the audience. We will offer an interesting range of workshops and seminars that will reinforce our key messages of working together to make our rural communities welcoming and fair for all to work, live and play in.

For more information on any of HIEF’s activities go to the HIEF website or call Morag Redwood on 01463 251 738. You can find a copy of the event report from the Equal Opportunities in Rural Scotland event in our documents library.

HIEF is a cross-sector Partnership Project between SCVO and the UHI Millennium Institute. It attracts match funding from the European Social Fund.

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