Our action on gender equality

The gender pay gap is smaller in Scotland than in the UK as a whole. But, there is still more to do. We’re shining a light on the gender pay gap, requiring all public authorities with more than 20 employees to publish their pay gap every two years and an equal pay statement every four years.

We are championing the real Living Wage. There are now 700 Living Wage accredited employers in Scotland. This benefits women most as they are more likely to be in lower paid employment.

We will legislate to ensure 50:50 gender balance in public sector boardrooms in Scotland by 2020, and are leading a 50:50 campaign to encourage third and private sector companies to commit as well. Nicola Sturgeon also appointed Scotland’s first gender balanced cabinet when she became Scotland’s first female First Minister.

We have improved the gender balance of the SNP group in the Scottish Parliament. In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election the SNP had more female candidates than ever before and 43 per cent of SNP MSPs are now women, up from 27.5 per cent in 2011.

Free, high quality childcare has been increased to 16 hours a week for all 3 and 4 year olds – up from 12.5 hours in 2007 – and extended to 2 year olds from low income households too. By 2020, we’ll increase the provision to 30 hours a week, ensuring more women are able to participate in the labour market.

We are piloting a Returners programme to help women who have had career breaks back into the workplace.

A record amount of almost £33 million is being invested to tackle domestic violence against women and girls. And access to justice for survivors of domestic abuse has been improved too.

We are doing all we can to mitigate Westminster’s welfare reforms, which are hitting women the hardest. We are ensuring no one has to pay the Bedroom Tax and providing Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants through the Scottish Welfare Fund.