Gender & Sexuality
Background / Overview – Scotland
Background / Overview – UK
Strategy Policy, Legislation
Gender & Sexuality – SPL
- 2017: The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG)is Established
- 2019: First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls 2019 Report and Recommendations
- 2019: Scotland SPL – A fairer Scotland for women: gender pay gap action plan
- 2023: Scotland SPL – Equally Safe 2023 – Preventing and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategy
- 2023: Scotland SPL – Non-Binary Equality Action Plan
- 2023: Scotland SPL – Scottish Government – Hate Crime Strategy
- 2024: Evaluation – The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls
- 2024: Scotland SPL – Equally Safe: Delivery Plan
- 2024: Scottish SPL – Minority Ethnic Women’s Experiences in Scotland 2024: Intersectional Evidence
Listed Authorities
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Race Equality Framework (REF)
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Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP)
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Other Accountability Mechanisms
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Equity Reports
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Mainstreaming Report
Gender & Sexuality – Mainstreaming Report – 2023 to 2025
Link | Description |
|---|---|
| Equality Outcomes 2023 – 2025: Spotlight – Drugs Policy | Women affected by drug or alcohol use present unique, sex-related concerns that are often not addressed by services which were designed to support men and therefore may disadvantage women. These concerns are particularly acute for pregnant women and mothers. The Scottish Government made more than £5.5 million available over this parliamentary term, to support the establishment of two houses run by Aberlour Childcare Trust specifically designed to support women and their children through recovery. The mixed model of abstinence-based and medication-assisted treatment offered at the houses allows women to have a choice around which form of recovery works best for them. Funding for the houses has been administered from the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund (WFWF) since 2022-23. This work forms part of a package of initiatives which aim to ensure that high quality drug and alcohol services are available and accessible for women at any point in their recovery journey. A core pillar of our National Mission is to increase access to and the provision of residential rehab. Our vision is that residential rehabilitation is available to everybody who wants it, and for whom it is deemed to be clinically appropriate, at the time that they ask for it and in every part of the country. As part of this vision, we are investing in family-inclusive and women-specific services, to ensure that women and mothers are not excluded from residential treatment, and that they are given the best chance possible to keep their families together. One of our overall aims is to increase the number of residential rehabilitation beds in Scotland from an estimated baseline of 425 as reported in 2021 to 650 by March 2026. Investment in the Mother and Child houses, which provide a total of 8 national beds for women going through recovery, is a direct contribution towards this aim. |
| Equality Outcomes 2023 – 2025: Spotlight – Non-Binary Equality Action Plan | The Scottish Government’s Non-Binary Equality Action Plan 2023-2028 (the “Plan”) was published in November 2023 and is the first of its kind in the UK. It was developed in collaboration with LGBTQI+ equality organisations and non-binary people and was based on the recommendations of the Working Group on Non-Binary Equality. The Plan sets out a range of actions to improve the lives of non-binary people and the wider trans community in Scotland by taking steps to address inequality and barriers that they face in their everyday lives. Whilst having a direct impact on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, this work also has positive impact on other intersecting characteristics. For example, trans and non-binary people are more likely to be younger, and have a disability. A progress report was published in December 2024 marking the first year of this five-year plan. It summarised the achievements of the first year and also outlined next steps for 2025. The Plan sets out our vision for Scotland to be a place where everyone’s identity is recognised, respected and celebrated. It should be a place where everybody can participate, access rights and opportunities and thrive in society. |
| Equality Outcomes 2023 to 2025: LGBT Curriculum | LGBT inclusive education builds on Scotland’s recognition as one of the most progressive countries in Europe on LGBT rights. We will be the first country in the world to have LGBT inclusive education embedded across the curriculum. Inclusive education needs to start early so all children and young people begin to learn and understand tolerance, respect, and equality. This will support our children and young people to build healthy relationships and prevent prejudice occurring in any form. Educational settings have a lot to contribute, but it is vital we all help instil the values of respect and tolerance in our children and young people |
| Equality Outcomes 2023 to 2025: Spotlight – Equally Safe Strategy | Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls (VAWG), is co-owned by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). In 2023, the strategy and the development of the accompanying delivery plan was refreshed. Both were developed collaboratively with colleagues across the Scottish Government, COSLA, Improvement Service, and Public Health Scotland, informed by the lived experience of victims and the expertise of professionals. A collaborative approach was vital, recognising that all spheres of government and all sectors of society have a role to play. We recognised that to drive meaningful change, VAWG must not be siloed. While specialist organisations remain crucial in supporting victims, the refreshed Equally Safe strategy underscores that addressing VAWG requires collective action across government and society. The refresh allowed adaptation to evolving social and legislative landscapes while preserving the strategy’s core aims and objectives. |
Periodic Report Recommendations
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Data Sets
Gender & Sexuality – Data Sets
- 2019: Evidence Summaries National Advisory Council on Women and Girls
- Scotland Data – Women in the justice system: evidence review – gov.scot
News
Gender & Sexuality – News
Key Publications & Resources
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Publications & Resources
Gender & Sexuality – Publications & Resources
Links
Gender & Sexuality – Links
