Scottish Government responds to National Advisory Council on Women and Girls’ 2018 Report

Date: 15th July 2019
Category: Non-discrimination

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The Scottish Government formally responded on 26^th June, accepting all 11 recommendations from the National Advisory Council’s 2018 report.

The National Advisory Council on Women and Girls’ (NACWG) 2018 report made recommendations covering topics from education, to the legal system and childcare. 

• Read the 2018 report and recommendations here

The Scottish Government’s official response gave the green light to all 11 proposals, either accepting them outright or accepting the ambition behind them, including recommendations to:

• Incorporate the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women into Scots law. This mirrors a broader commitment made through the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership which reported in December 2018.
• Establish a world-leading process for complainants of sexual violence
• Ensure 50 hours of free childcare a week for all children aged between six months and five years old.

Making the announcement, the First Minister said:

“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.”

• Read the Scottish Government’s response here.

The NACWG’s focus for 2019 is Policy Coherence – looking at how policy is made and whether certain policies work against each other.

• Visit NACWG’s website for more information.