CLACKMANNANSHIRE has been ranked the worst local authority in Scotland to grow up in as a girl, a new report has found.

The report, published by charity Plan International UK, surveyed nearly 3,000 girls and young women across the country.

They analysed life as a girl and young woman in each local authority across Scotland, and found that the Wee County was among the worst in the UK based on their feedback.

Plan International UK examined five factors – education and economic lives, poverty, health, violence, and participation and voice.

From these factors, each council area was given an index score, allowing them to rank the UK local authorities by best to worst experience as a girl growing up.

Clacks scored 70.25 out of 100 on the index, just 1.18 points higher than North East Lincolnshire, which ranked lowest at 69.07.

The report stated: “We can see there is clear improvement for every council and community in supporting girls’ rights.

“While councils aim to provide as much support as they can, given the financial challenges they face, there are structural factors which prevent them from delivering as well as they potentially could across a range of aspects of girls’ lives.

“These challenges need central action and a clear, long-term settlement from central governments to enable councils to support girls’ lives and rights.”

Two Scottish councils made the top 10 performing local authorities for girls growing up according to the index.

East Dunbartonshire topped the index, scoring 79.74 and becoming the best local authority in the UK for women.

East Renfrewshire was rated ninth in the list, joining five from England, two from Northern Ireland and one from Wales.

The report took feedback from girls and found that six in 10 girls and young women don’t trust politicians to protect their rights at all.

Ellen Forson, Clacks Council leader and chair of the Clackmannanshire Alliance, said: “Improving the outcomes for women and girls living in Clackmannanshire has been and will continue to be a priority for Community Planning Partners.

“The findings of this report are obviously concerning and will be something for all partners to consider carefully. 

“Clackmannanshire Council and our community planning partners are taking innovative steps to reform how public services are designed and delivered to communities.

“Our Family Wellbeing Partnership is working with third sector organisations and community groups to reshape the services that people want and need.

“This collaborative approach aims to make it easier for families to access the support they need, when they need it, to help families out of poverty and improve family wellbeing and outcomes. 

“In addition to our Child Wellbeing Partnership, The Family Wellbeing Partnership’s work streams of Community Around the School, Employability and STRIVE (Safeguarding for Rapid Intervention – including early intervention) and our involvement in the Planet Youth prevention programme means that our teams are making a real impact for communities throughout Clackmannanshire.”

The full report can be found here.