Equality duty: mainstreaming report 2023-2025

Forewords

Kaukab Stewart MSP, Minister for Equalities

As the Minister for Equalities, I am deeply committed to making impactful and lasting progress in embedding equality into everything we do across government. This Mainstreaming Report reflects on the breadth of the work undertaken between 2023 and 2025 to advance equality and highlights progress we have made in creating a fairer and more inclusive Scotland.

Mainstreaming equality is central to our daily processes and decisions and runs through our Programme for Government. Through this work we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By setting and working towards ambitious equality outcomes, we have been able to focus our efforts on tackling persistent inequalities and driving meaningful change.

While there is much to be proud of in the progress made over this reporting period, it is clear that inequality continues to persist. The Scottish Government has both a legal and moral obligation to address these challenges, and our commitment to doing so is unwavering.

Looking ahead, we must continue to build on the progress outlined in this report. If we want it, prioritise it and make it our goal then together, we can drive forward equality and create lasting change, ensuring that Scotland becomes a truly fair and inclusive place for all.

Lesley Fraser, Director-General Corporate

As an employer the Scottish Government is committed to creating an empowered and inclusive culture allowing each of us to fulfil our potential and deliver at our best for the people of Scotland. This mainstreaming report reflects on the significant progress we have made to embed equality into all aspects of our work.

As civil servants, our shared mission is to improve the lives of the people of Scotland. Our core values—integrity, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and kindness— guide our efforts and are central to our ongoing work to tackle inequalities.

The past two years have seen substantial progress, thanks to the dedication and collaboration of colleagues across government. This report highlights key achievements, including the steps we have taken to integrate equality considerations into our internal practices as an employer. While these achievements are important, we recognise that the work is far from complete.

This report demonstrates our commitment to building a more inclusive civil service which better reflects the communities we serve. It also sets the foundation for future work, ensuring equality remains at the heart of everything we do. Together, we will continue to drive meaningful change and make our organisation a place where everyone can thrive.