Correspondence relating to 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: FOI release

Information requested

1. Any correspondence sent from Scottish Government Ministers relating to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025.

2. Any briefing prepared for Ministers on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025.

Response

For the purposes of this request, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence period is between 25 November and 10 December 2025. Therefore, most information identified falls close to this period, however, FOI searches have been carried out for documents within the last 3 months of the request being received (from 27 August 2025 to 26 November 2025).

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, in relation to correspondence sent from Scottish Government Ministers relating to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2025.

Enclosure 1 - Email from the Minister for Equalities to other Ministers
Enclosure 2 - Sexual Misconduct in Sport event - Reply to invitation
Enclosure 3 - Reclaim the Night March - Reply to invitation

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA has been applied to personal data contained in disclosures attached (enclosure 1,2 and 3). This exemption applies to personal data which the disclosure of would contravene data protection principles. Personal data includes all information that relates to an individual, and includes identifiers such as name, address and date of birth.

This exemption is subject to the public interest test. Taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in transparency and accountability in government decision-making. However, the risk to individual privacy could create a security concern and breach of data, which would violate ethical and legal consent principles, including GDPR.

Five documents have been withheld in full under section 30(b) of FOISA. This exemption covers information where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on policy development and Ministerial decision making would substantially inhibit such discussions in the future.

This exemption is subject to the public interest test. Taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in transparency and accountability in government decision-making. However, we consider this is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining a space for officials and Ministers to exchange views freely and frankly, particularly on sensitive or complex matters. On balance, we have concluded that the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500495618 - Information Released - Enclosure 1-3

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