Review of women's involvement in the Scottish Parliament
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
Board membership
- 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.