Equality and human rights mainstreaming strategy
Sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to embedding equality and human rights into everything it does across government and encouraging the same approach across the wider public sector.
Introduction and Context
This Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy (the Strategy) sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to embedding equality and human rights into everything it does across government and the wider public sector. It provides a clear vision and practical framework for making lasting change in how we develop policy, deliver services, and allocate resources. The goal is to build fairer systems that work better for everyone in Scotland.
The Strategy is supported by an Action Plan and a Toolkit and is informed by a continuous collaborative approach. We’ve developed this approach by working closely with stakeholders. No matter the size or role of your organisation, this Strategy is designed to be useful and inspiring.
The development of this Strategy is grounded in strong and consistent feedback from consultation and engagement. Listening to this feedback, we heard:
- the need for clearer alignment across mainstreaming tools
- reduced duplication
- and more practical support for implementation
This feedback showed a shared ambition to move beyond compliance and towards a culture where equality and human rights are embedded in systems, structures, and outcomes. It is about building inclusive institutions that ensure the way decisions are made, resources are allocated, and services are delivered actively works to eliminate discrimination, advance equality, and realise human rights.
Through engagement and research (detailed in Annex A), we have identified six key drivers as essential to advancing the mainstreaming of equality and human rights. These drivers emerged clearly and consistently through stakeholder engagement, reflecting the areas where change is most needed and most possible. They are:
- strengthening leadership
- developing accountability and transparency
- ensuring effective regulatory and policy environment
- utilising evidence and experience
- enhancing capability and culture
- improving capacity
These are not just headings, they are levers for change and reflect the areas where we must focus our collective efforts to build a fairer Scotland.
The Strategy sets out a framework designed to encourage the promotion of equal opportunities. It is a resource that organisations may wish to consider when developing approaches to mainstream equality and human rights within their operations. This Strategy, together with any associated documents, does not constitute legal advice or formal guidance.