Driving forward gender equality

Measures to change public attitudes to equality and rights, improve access to justice, and funding for work to promote equality within the media industry will be taken forward by the Scottish Government.

In a response to the first report from the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed proposals for a What Works? Gender Institute to identify and promote best practice will be developed. In addition, the government will become the lead partner in a Gender Beacon Collaborative to promote gender equality across Scottish public life.

The Scottish Government will establish a taskforce to look at gender equality in education and take forward existing work to improve access to justice for women and girls. Ministers will also continue to lobby the UK government to take action to improve parental leave and support measures to encourage 50/50 representation at elections.

Meeting with the advisory council today, Nicola Sturgeon said:

“I appointed the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls to champion gender equality, to be bold and to push government to do more. Their first report contained an ambitious set of recommendations and I thank all those involved for their hard work.

“I am committed to making sure we drive forward improvements to gender equality in Scotland now and in the future – whether tackling violence against women and girls, challenging gender stereotypes, promoting equality within the media or highlighting best practice in the workplace.

“By accepting the council’s recommendations we will learn from best practice in Scotland and around the world and work towards Scotland being a country where everyone is treated fairly and can achieve their full potential.”

Background

The National Advisory Council on Women and Girls published their report in January. The Scottish Government’s response, with more details on the What Works? Gender Institute and Gender Beacon Institute, is available here.