Items tagged “publiclife”

Engender response to the Scottish Parliament Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s Call for Views on understanding barriers to participation in politics

Women are underrepresented at all levels of political decision-making, and this is most extreme at the local level where only 29% of councillors in Scotland are women. Vital decisions in many areas disproportionately impacting women’s lives are made by councils - for instance women are more likely to be employed in social care or education, and more likely to be users of public transport - however their voices are largely absent from these conversations.

Diverse representation improves democratic engagement, increases participation in elections, and enriches policy decision-making. In order to create better outcomes, it is vital that women are able to fully participate in local politics.

Date of publication: November 2021.

Engender Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Electoral Reform

In December 2017, the Scottish Government launched its consultation on electoral reform. Among its many questions on the future of elections in Scotland, the Scottish Government has focused on possible reforms to anonymous voter registration as well as to improving gender balance in elected office.

Equal representation across politics and public life is a key issue within feminist agendas, and Engender has long advocated for women’s increased representation in both political and public life.

Date of publication: March 2018.

Engender Parliamentary Briefing: Gender Balanced Boards Stage 1 Debate November 2017

Engender briefing on the debate on the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill. The following briefing highlights why the Bill, and further amendments, are needed to strengthen women's representation on public boards in Scotland.

Date of publication: November 2017.

Engender Submission to the Scottish Parliament Equality and Human Rights Committee Call for Evidence on the Draft Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill

Engender welcomes the opportunity to respond to the call for evidence on the draft Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill.

As highlighted by Engender in its response to the call for written evidence on gender balancing measures on public boards in Scotland in 2014, policy changes are needed to tackle gender inequality across the public sector; to break down the barriers to women’s equal participation in public life; and to eliminate gender imbalance in leadership, authority and decision-making across public, political, social and cultural institutions.

Date of publication: September 2017.

Sex and Power in Scotland 2017

This report sets out the extent of men’s over-representation in positions of authority and influence in Scotland. In 2017, women still have unequal access to power, decision-making and participation throughout all areas of public life, with men holding 73% of the 3029 positions of power and authority identified.

Date of publication: March 2017.

Equal Voice, Equal Power: The Case for Gender Quotas in Scotland

Women have unequal access to power, decision-making and participation throughout all areas of public life in Scotland. In order to participate fully in society and to exercise equal citizenship, women must be able to contribute across the spectrum of civic life. Evidence from around the world shows that increased representation for women in politics has a positive impact on both gender equality issues and social policy more broadly. Gender balance in parliament, local government and around decision-making tables influences both the focus and outcomes of discussions.

This report sets out the case for gender quotas in Scotland; looking at international examples, analysing the current gender balancing mechanisms at play in Scotland, debunking some commonly held myths about quotas, and making recommendations to the Scottish Government and political parties.

Date of publication: March 2016.

Engender Response to the Scottish Government Consultation on the Introduction of Diversity Succession Planning for Board Appointments and the Lowering of the Threshold for Publishing Gender Pay Gap and Equal Pay Statements

Engender's response to the Scottish Government consultation on the introduction of diversity succession planning for board appointments and the lowering of the threshold for publishing gender pay gap and equal pay statements.

Date of publication: November 2015.

Scotland's Futures: Women, Politics and Power

This briefing is part of a series that sets out how power and responsibility to tackle critical gender equality issues are divided between Holyrood and Westminster. It is part of Engender’s contribution to the independence referendum debate.

Date of publication: August 2014

Engender Parliamentary Briefing: Increasing Opportunities for Women Debate 2014

A briefing paper for MSPs in advance of the Scottish Government debate on increasing opportunities for women in the Scottish Parliament on 20 August 2014.

Date of publication: August 2014.

Engender Repsonse to the Scottish Government Consultation on the Introduction of Gender Quotas on Public Sector Boards

Engender's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on gender quotas on public sector boards.

Date of publication: July 2014.

Women in Scotland: Facts and Stats 2012 Calendar

Women in Scotland calendar 2012: monthly facts and stats on women's inequality.

Date of publication: January 2012.

Quotas in the Scottish Parliament: Festival of Politics Briefing Paper

This briefing paper lays out Engender's position on parliamentary quotas. It was produced for the Festival of Politics, 2011.

Date of publication: July 2011.

Politics in Your Pocket Resource

A pocket guide to gender inequality across political life in Scotland.

Date of publication: 2010.

Engender Response to the Christie Commission Consultation on the Future of Scotland’s Public Services

Engender's response to the Christie Commission on the future of Scotland's Public Services.

Date of publication: February 2011.

Engender Response to the Government Equalities Office on Proposals for Extending the Provisions for Women-only Shortlists

Engender's response to the Government Equalities Office proposal on extending women-only shortlists.

Date of publication: October 2008.

Gender Audit Series: Participation in Political & Public Life

A summary and discussion of the implications of data from the Gender Audit of Statistics [Breitenbach,E. and Wasoff, F. Scottish Executive Social Research 2007] relating to care and caring prepared by S. Macpherson, Engender Associate and E. Thomson.