Equality outcomes and mainstreaming report 2023

Ministerial Foreword

As the newly appointed Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, I am committed to ensuring that our vision for Scotland includes a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and respect.

Our hard-won freedoms must be enjoyed by all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. By embedding equality, inclusion and human rights into our core thinking, we can create a society that is not only just and fair but also empowers individuals to reach their full potential and can help to ensure that Scotland is a country that respects and protects the rights of our people.

The aspiration for a just and fair society is core to the Scottish Government's purpose: to create an even more successful country with opportunities for everyone to flourish through increased wellbeing, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth. This report sets out the progress we are making in mainstreaming equality and diversity as an employer and as a decision maker.

Embedding equality, inclusion and human rights across all aspects of Government policy and practice is critical to our approach. That is why our Programme for Government 2022/23 reaffirmed our commitment to mainstreaming equality and human rights. We will ensure that our ongoing work to embed equality is effective, responsive and works for people in a way that meets their needs, both in Government and across the wider public sector.

I want to ensure that in Scotland we do all we can within our powers to protect and to enhance the rights of our people. I want to see a Scotland that is a safe and prosperous place to live, and where human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.

I look forward to continuing our progress towards a fairer and more equal society.

Emma Roddick
Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees