“Read with Neil Mackay” graphic asks why Scotland has not decriminalised abortion, highlighting reform efforts amid populist attacks.

Humanist society unveils scale of evangelical lobbying at Holyrood in Herald article on fight for abortion decriminalisation

Our Policy and Campaigns Officer Joe explained to Neil Mackay that the scale of lobbying by evangelical groups at Scottish parliament drastically increased over the last parliamentary term, with another jump likely across 2026-31. Humanist Society has explained to investigative…

Humanist society unveils scale of evangelical lobbying at Holyrood in Herald article on fight for abortion decriminalisation
Helen McDade on laptop camera. She looks at the screen against a plain white background.

Humanist Society responds as footage reveals Reform UK’s new Health Committee Convenor comparing pregnant women to feral cats

Last week’s Herald exclusive shows extraordinary anti-abortion views and language of incoming chair of Holyrood’s Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee, Helen McDade of Reform UK. Reform UK has scored a massive coup over recent weeks in obtaining the chairs of the…

Humanist Society responds as footage reveals Reform UK’s new Health Committee Convenor comparing pregnant women to feral cats
Jill Wood headshot. She has shoulder length brown hair and wears a blue blouse, and smiles at the camera.

Humanist Society Interview series: Jill Wood of Engender on decriminalising abortion

We are proud to be part of Let’s change the Act, the campaign to fully decriminalise abortion in Scotland. We caught up with Jill Wood, Policy Manager at Engender, the organisation spearheading the campaign, to get the lowdown. Hi Jill,…

Humanist Society Interview series: Jill Wood of Engender on decriminalising abortion
Cartoon showing a group of people in a city street holding up signs that read "human rights," "bodily autonomy," and "democracy."

Humanist Society Scotland in 2026: The Year Ahead

What has 2026 got in store for the humanist movement in Scotland? With Holyrood elections looming and a new parliament starting in May, we’ve got work to do. Here’s the lowdown on our key campaign areas. Assisted dying Our most…

Humanist Society Scotland in 2026: The Year Ahead
Graphic showing a woman sitting at a doctor's table with a picture of a pregnant body on a screen.

Post-20 Week Abortion Care

People in Scotland should be able to access abortion care safely and securely up to the legal limit of 24 weeks. At the moment, this isn’t always happening because of a lack of surgical abortion providers and a historic culture of stigma.

Post-20 Week Abortion Care
Graphic showing protestors holding up placards reading "Decriminalise Abortion", "Safe Access", and "Abortion is Healthcare".

We sign open letter protesting “disgraceful” abortion investigations guidelines

We are amongst 29 civil society and health organisations calling on Police Scotland to publicly reject new guidelines that could subject women to invasive criminal investigations. Humanist Society Scotland is amongst the 29 signatories to a letter sent by Engender…

We sign open letter protesting “disgraceful” abortion investigations guidelines
Portrait pic of Maggie Ardiente. She wears a grey suit with pink humanism badge and has a black top and black hair. She smiles at the camera.

Humanist Society interview series: Maggie Ardiente of the Secular Coalition for America on reproductive rights under Trump

As anti-abortion campaigners mark Lent with protests influenced by US Christian nationalism, Maggie Ardiente, Board President of the Secular Coalition for America, talks us through the threat to reproductive rights posed by Trump and JD Vance’s government. Hi Maggie, please…

Humanist Society interview series: Maggie Ardiente of the Secular Coalition for America on reproductive rights under Trump
Headline snip reading "Scottish women confront anti-abortion protesters 'inside buffer zone'". Two video stills show a young women on the ground with two men surrounding her.

Scottish Family Party protest inside buffer zone in Aberdeen

Scottish Family Party members have been protesting inside a safe access zone in Aberdeen. In a video shared to their X account, the hard right party showed footage of an evening light show and protest held in Aberdeen to “commemorate…

Scottish Family Party protest inside buffer zone in Aberdeen
Gemma Clark speaking at a wooden podium. She has red hair and wears a black jacket. She clenches her right hand gently to make a point.

Gemma Clark on tackling misogyny in schools with a humanist approach

In a guest article for our blog marking International Women’s Day, teacher and humanist campaigner Gemma Clark shares her thoughts on how to tackle a rising wave of misogyny in Scotland’s classrooms. As a teacher, I have long been concerned…

Gemma Clark on tackling misogyny in schools with a humanist approach
Snip of a headline reading "Anti-abortion activists branded 'disgusting' as 'vigil' starts near hospital." Below is a picture of the protest outside some railings infront of a field or park.

Anti-abortion activists hold protest just outside Glasgow buffer zone to mark start of Lent

The group, who are part of the anti-abortion 40 Days for Life campaign, will continue to protest for the remaining 39 days of Lent. Representatives of the anti-abortion campaign 40 Days for Life have held a “vigil” near Queen Elizabeth…

Anti-abortion activists hold protest just outside Glasgow buffer zone to mark start of Lent
Snip of headline reading "Woman, 74, charged under abortion protest law", with a picture of the woman being arrested.

Abortion buffer zone arrests: a fact-check

After US Vice-President JD Vance claimed that people were being criminalised for praying in their own homes in Scotland, a first arrest has been made within a buffer zone outside an abortion facility. But what is really going on here?…

Abortion buffer zone arrests: a fact-check