Host of sector figures drive new gender equality body
A new group has been created to advise the Scottish Government on gender inequality.
The Advisory Council on Women and Girls will be chaired by Louise Macdonald OBE, chief executive of Young Scot, alongside members from the third sector, government and business – including three aged under 20 years old.
Announcing the group, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Taking steps to secure gender equality is, of course, a moral obligation of government as well as the right thing to do. Inequality stops women from achieving their full potential, holds us back as a nation and damages the economy.
“That is why we need more action and I have established this new group to offer a strong and challenging voice, helping us continue to achieve progress on the representation of women and girls.
“My thanks go to Louise and all of the members of the Advisory Council. I look forward to their findings and advice, which I am sure will be instrumental in informing action and policy development across Scotland.”
The first term of the council will be three years, after which it will be reviewed. It will formally meet three times per year with engagement ongoing throughout the year to help the Council shape its understanding of the issues facing women and girls.
Council chair Louise Macdonald said: “Our ambition is big – quite rightly – and we want to create something different. Something which leads to the entire population of Scotland being alive to the issues and feeling empowered to do something about it.
“To do this we need to spark a movement which inspires social change in the culture and conversation around gender equality in Scotland.
"The most important thing that the council can do is to listen – to those with experience, expertise and ideas. We look forward to beginning this work.”
Membership of the council includes Amina Ahmed – Scottish Government Fairer Future Codesign Panel (age 15); Kara Brown – director, World YWCA; Tressa Burke – CEO, Glasgow Disability Alliance; Dr Catherine Calderwood – Scotland’s chief medical officer; Vicky Featherstone – director, Royal Court Theatre; Jacqui Ferguson – non-executive director, WoodGroup; Professor Dame Anne Glover - president-elect, Royal Society of Edinburgh; Katie Horsburgh – young advocate, Girlguiding Scotland (age 17); Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws – QC; Satwat Rehman – CEO, One Parent Families Scotland; Emma Ritch – executive director, Engender Scotland; Suki Wan – cice chair, Scottish Youth Parliament (age 19); and Talat Yaqoob – director, Equate Scotland and co-founder, Women 50/50.
