Ahead of International Women’s Day, Carers Scotland have published a new briefing paper on women’s experience of unpaid care in Scotland.

Women make up the majority of unpaid carers, providing essential support to family members, friends, and communities. This unpaid care often comes at a cost—impacting their financial security, mental and physical health, and career progression.

Key findings include:

·         71% of female unpaid carers who are looking after the home/family/dependants full-time said they had given up work to provide care.

·         20% of female unpaid carers who are struggling to make ends meet have had to use a food bank.

·         35% of female unpaid carers reported having bad or very bad mental health, with 29% reporting bad or very bad physical health.

·         More than half (58%) of female unpaid carers said they felt overwhelmed always or often.

Our attached briefing provides further data and insights of the challenges faced by women in unpaid caring roles, as well as policy recommendations to better support them.