DEBBIE'S STORY: THE INTERSECTIONAL LENS

​Hello, my name is Deborah, and like many Sri Lankan Tamils who emigrated to different places, I was one of them.
 
I moved to the UK as a child, and Scotland became my home 24 years ago in order to live a better and safer life. I am also disabled, and I am going to share my situation and experiences due to the living cost crisis.
 
Like so many disabled people in the UK, I struggled to find a job that would accommodate my disability for almost 4 years. I need to cut back on many things, such as energy bills and other essentials, and it has affected my mental health. But I believe in my heart that this country could do so much better for intersectional women who are running away to escape their home country, gender-based violence, and many disabled women rely on life-saving equipment, such as electric wheelchairs, mobility devices, and oxygen concentrators, which are no longer possible due to financial limitations. Because if this government does not stand up for them to fight for gender equality, then who will?
 
I am afraid that the Scottish Government has not provided enough support for intersectional and disabled women, acknowledging the diversity of experiences among survivors, especially the intersectional lens, which not only addresses disparities but also promotes empowerment and inclusivity.
 
For women and girls like me, we need better sensibility, and the Scottish Government should advocate for intersectionality to form the foundation.