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About the Scottish Parliament

Ensuring equal representation and participation

In February 2022, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP launched an audit of how women are represented and participate in the Scottish Parliament. 

The audit was carried out by Dr Fiona McKay, formerly a lecturer at Robert Gordon University and now based at the University of Strathclyde. 

A board set up and led by the Presiding Officer has considered the findings of the audit, and has responded with recommendations for change.  These include creating a cross-party body of MSPs to:

  • oversee the effective delivery of the recommendations
  • drive forward the Parliament’s overall progress
  • ensure alignment with internationally recognised standards.

Read 'A Parliament for All: Report of the Parliament’s Gender Sensitive Audit' (2MB, pdf) posted 01 March 2023

The Parliament is now scrutinising the recommendations and assessing whether and how they can be implemented.

An Advisory Group, chaired by the Presiding Officer, is monitoring the progress the Parliament is making in implementing the findings of the audit.

Gender Sensitive Advisory Group membership and meeting minutes

The Advisory Group is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations that were made in the Gender Sensitive Audit.
  • Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer (Chair)
  • Maggie Chapman MSP, Scottish Green Party
  • Ruth Maguire MSP, Scottish National Party
  • Carol Mochan MSP, Scottish Labour Party
  • Sue Webber MSP, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Beatrice Wishart MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Professor Sarah Childs, Personal Chair of Politics and Gender, University of Edinburgh
  • Hannah Johnson, Knowledge Exchange Lead - Senedd Cymru & Senior Gender Adviser - INTER PARES
  • Professor Meryl Kenny, Professor of Gender and Politics, University of Edinburgh
  • Femi Otitoju, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

Advisory Group meeting minutes

Wednesday 4 October 2023 (85KB, pdf) posted 06 December 2023

Data

To help monitor progress on the recommendations in the Audit, the Parliament will regularly publish data relating to equal representation and participation.

Gender Sensitive Audit Board membership and remit

The board considered the findings of the audit and responded with recommendations for change. 

  • Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP
  • Karen Adam MSP, Scottish National Party
  • Jeremy Balfour MSP, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Maggie Chapman MSP, Scottish Green Party
  • Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Monica Lennon MSP, Scottish Labour Party
  • Professor Sarah Childs, Personal Chair of Politics and Gender at the University of Edinburgh
  • Susan Duffy, Group Head of Engagement and Communications, Scottish Parliament
  • Dr Meryl Kenny, Senior Lecturer in Gender and Politics, University of Edinburgh
  • Professor Fiona Mackay, Professor of Politics, University of Edinburgh
  • Catherine Murphy, Director, Engender
  • Tracey White, Group Head of Legislation and Parliamentary Business, Scottish Parliament

Remit

To look at how our structures, operations and policies can help promote gender equality in representation and participation in the Scottish Parliament.

Background

Read news release on audit launch (February 2022)

Read news release on publication of report (February 2023)