Equality and human rights mainstreaming: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

The Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy (the Strategy) is expected to have a positive impact across Scotland by embedding equality and human rights at the core of all activities across government and the wider public sector. Informed by stakeholder engagement and consultation, the Strategy offers both a clear vision and practical framework for creating lasting, systemic change in how we develop policy, deliver services, and allocate resources. It is expected to have positive impacts in terms of eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations across all protected characteristics.

Through stakeholder engagement and reviewing the prior work of others, we have identified six key drivers as essential to advancing the mainstreaming of equality and human rights. This Strategy articulates a framework for action against these six key drivers:

1. Strengthening leadership 

2. Developing accountability and transparency

3. Ensuring effective regulatory and policy environment

4. Utilising evidence and experience

5. Enhancing capability and culture

6. Improving capacity

This EQIA assesses the impact of the Strategy on people with protected characteristics. It draws on extensive engagement and consultation, including deep-dive sessions, thematic workshops, and a 14-week public consultation, which confirmed strong support for the Strategy’s vision and objectives.

This assessment also covers specific additional considerations for an accompanying Mainstreaming Toolkit (Annex A) and a Mainstreaming Action Plan (Annex B).

The Strategy is expected to have positive impacts across protected characteristics, including:

• Age: Promotes fair access for older and younger people to public services, education, employment, and community participation, whilst aiming to tackle age-based discrimination and foster understanding between generations.
• Disability: Aims to strengthen protections against discrimination and improve access to public services, education, and employment, helping to ensure disabled people can fully participate in society.
• Sex: Aims to address gender inequality and seeks to mainstream gender competence, reducing discrimination and promoting equal access to opportunities and services.
• Pregnancy and Maternity: Aims to reduce discrimination faced by pregnant women and new parents, promote access to maternity services and childcare, and foster supportive environments in workplaces and communities.
• Gender Reassignment: Aims to address discrimination faced by trans individuals, improve access to healthcare and legal protections, and promote inclusion and understanding in public life.
• Sexual Orientation: Helps eliminate discrimination against LGBTQI+ people, improve access to services, and foster positive relations through inclusive policies.
• Race: Works to eliminate racial discrimination, improve access to services and leadership opportunities for minority ethnic groups, and promote stronger relations between communities.
• Religion or Belief: Aims to reduce discrimination based on faith, helps to ensure equal access to services, and promotes understanding and respect for diverse religious and belief systems.

The Scottish Government does not require assessment of the impact on marriage and civil partnerships unless the policy or practice relates to work, for example HR policies and practices – which this strategy does not.

The Strategy also embeds an intersectional approach, recognising that overlapping characteristics can compound disadvantage. It prioritises robust equality evidence and lived experience to inform policy design and delivery.

As a result of the EQIA process:

• Specific actions have been carried out regarding the format, in order to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Intersectionality has been embedded to ensure that people with multiple protected characteristics are considered.
• Emphasis on tailored approaches has been strengthened to encourage accommodation for age-specific needs, religious practices, and cultural differences.
• All six key drivers have been refined to address the three needs of the PSED.
• The toolkit represents a deliberate effort to remove barriers to participation and help ensure that the Strategy’s resources are available to everyone, regardless of their ability.

The EQIA will be updated as needed, particularly when new legislation comes into effect, new evidence is identified or if significant changes are made to the Strategy itself. This monitoring plan will ensure that the EQIA remains relevant and effective throughout the lifespan of the Strategy.