Scottish Government launches Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 16th December 2025
Strategy published to place equality and human rights at the core of government operations
The Scottish Government has published its Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy, supported by an Action Plan and Toolkit, setting out how equality and human rights will be embedded across government and promoted throughout the wider public sector.
The strategy provides a practical framework to ensure equality and human rights are central to policy making, service delivery and resource allocation, with the aim of building fairer systems that work better for everyone in Scotland. It has been developed collaboratively with stakeholders and responds to consultation feedback calling for clearer alignment of tools, reduced duplication and stronger practical support. The ALLIANCE responded to this consultation and you can view our response in the resources below.
Mainstreaming, the Scottish Government emphasises, means placing equality and human rights at the core of everyday process, recognising that they affect everything an organisation does, from planning to service delivery, and ensuring they are integral to how public services operate across Scotland.
Six key drivers for change underpin the Strategy: leadership, accountability and transparency, an effective regulatory and policy environment, use of evidence and lived experience, enhanced capability and culture, and improved capacity.
Supporting the strategy, the accompanying Action Plan brings together 61 equality and human rights mainstreaming actions from across the Scottish Government into one accessible document. While it does not cover every activity underway, it represents the first time a wide range of mainstreaming actions have been collated in a single place, supporting equality and inclusion in policy and practice.
You can access the strategy at Equality and human rights mainstreaming strategy
And the action plan at Equality and human rights mainstreaming action plan
End of page.
You may also like:
Published by VHS, the new report shares insights from Scotland’s third sector.
Continue readingThe letter calls on the UK Government to take steps to fully incorporate economic, social and cultural rights in law.
Continue readingHave your say on what worked well, what barriers remain, and what changes are needed to improve accessible voting.
Continue readingResults will inform future guidance, resources and service improvements for people living with cancer.
Continue readingThe results of PIF’s survey give some cause for optimism – but equal cause for concern.
Continue readingLeadership programme for disabled adults and parents of disabled children open for applications.
Continue readingThis flash report provides a summary of activity and findings from the 2025/26 mental health and gambling harm projects in Scotland.
Continue readingJoin Wellbeing Scotland's board to drive lasting change for people impacted by child abuse.
Continue readingScotland’s health is dependent on dedicated action from new parliament, say ALLIANCE.
Continue readingChildren in Scotland launch their new report reflecting on the impact of GIRFEC over the past 20 years.
Continue readingThis month's Digital Citizen Panel Spotlight is Heriott-Watt University's Citizen Advisory Network.
Continue readingShare your views on the proposed HCPC fee rise before 17 July to help shape the final decision
Continue readingScottish Children's Health Awards 2026 now open for nominations until 30 June.
Continue reading#TryAToolTuesday raises awareness of free and trusted apps and resources that help people improve and manage their health and wellbeing.
Continue readingImproved voting accessibility for people with Visual Impairment
Continue readingReport calls on the UK Government to ensure Access to Work is fully accessible .
Continue readingHelp shape the new guidelines
Continue readingHelp future technology become more accessible
Continue readingAn update on our ongoing engagement with BT
Continue readingFindings show a need for quicker diagnosis and improved referrals to self management support.
Continue readingThis new resource from the Social Care Institute for Excellence brings together research, data, and practice evidence.
Continue readingThe Patient Information Forum has released a report that shares the findings of it's latest survey on health literacy and digital inclusion.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has co-signed Samaritans Scotland's call for change.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has produced a report for the Scottish Parliament's Cross-party Group on Deafness.
Continue readingJoin Tommy Whitelaw for a workshop reflecting on his experience for caring for his mum and the importance of asking 'What matters to you?'.
Continue reading