Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming strategy: consultation analysis
The independent analysis of responses to the consultation on the Equality and Human Rights strategy. The Strategy sets out a framework that will guide the work that the Scottish Government, the wider public sector and partners will do to embed equality and human rights in all that it does.
11. Conclusions
Individuals and organisations with varied and detailed knowledge and experiences participated in the consultation, sharing their views on the Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy. This report provides a high-level summary of the consultation responses. For more detail, readers are encouraged to read individual responses, where permission was given for publication, via the Scottish Government’s consultation website.
Respondents were broadly supportive of all aspects of the Strategy. Around three quarters of those answering agreed with the overall vision (73%) and objectives (77%) of the Strategy, and around nine in ten respondents agreed that each of the six drivers is key to mainstreaming equality and human rights. Organisations were typically more supportive than individuals.
While respondents agreed with the Strategy, many provided suggestions and recommendations for, or concerns about, its implementation. Across the consultation questions, respondents highlighted the importance of ensuring that the public sector has sufficient resourcing, appropriate training, clear guidance and accountability to support the Strategy. More specifically, some respondents repeatedly reiterated their support for the proposed Human Rights Bill and questioned whether reviewing the regulations, tools and frameworks associated with Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) may help establish best practices or provide insight into implementing the Strategy effectively.
Around half of respondents felt each of the six drivers captured the elements needed for mainstreaming, with many providing open comments to explain what additional considerations or information would be helpful. Many requested more detail or specificity for each of the drivers, or for the Strategy overall. This included suggestions for language changes to the vision and objectives, clearer definitions of terms such as who would be included in groups described as marginalised, and an articulation of timelines for implementation. More broadly, respondents stressed that data collection, monitoring progress and establishing clear channels for reporting were necessary to ensure that mainstreaming becomes seen as more than a compliance exercise.
Respondents expressed mixed views about the efficacy of the Action Plan, although there was more agreement that a cross-public sector toolkit could support mainstreaming. Those who agreed with providing these tools felt they would help drive positive change. However, those who were unsure or did not feel they would contribute to the desired outcome often asked for further clarification about implementation or suggested improvements. A majority of respondents also supported the proposal outlined in the consultation paper that no additional reporting requirements should be created from the Strategy.
The consultation responses will provide valuable and informative suggestions and recommendations for the Scottish Government to draw upon when considering the next steps in finalising and implementing the Strategy and any associated Action Plan and toolkit.