National Advisory Council on Women and Girls report: Scottish Government response

The Future of the NACWG

With publication of its third end-of-year report in January 2021, the NACWG concluded the initial three-year strategy it agreed in 2018.

Over the course of 2018 – 2020, it has delivered a package of recommendations, with a focus, particularly in Years 2 and 3, on systemic change. Towards the end of its work plan in 2020, the NACWG spent some time reflecting on its journey to date and the successes and challenges it experienced.

In March 2021, the NACWG submitted a “Next Steps” report to the First Minister. This report set out the NACWG’s thoughts about what a future NACWG model could look like and addressed the question of whether the NACWG should continue to operate in the same way, or should adopt a different model.

The NACWG’s recommendation to the First Minister is that it continue for a further three years with a refreshed membership and a focus on scrutiny and accountability. This “Phase 2” NACWG, would not make further recommendations, but would closely monitor delivery of those recommendations already accepted. The NACWG said that it supported adopting a different model, because it recognised that it would take time to fully implement its recommendations and for these to begin to take effect, and that it would be in a better position to assess what additional actions may be required after a further three-years.

As confirmed in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2021-22, we have accepted the NACWG’s recommendation that it continue for a further three-year period with a focus on monitoring the delivery of its 2018-2020 recommendations.