Midlothian credited for gender equality work
Midlothian Council is one of only four Scottish councils to receive a bronze accreditation after participating in a programme on advancing gender equality at work and preventing Violence Against Women.
Equally Safe at Work
The renowned employer accreditation pilot, Equally Safe at Work, has been developed by the organisation Close the Gap – an advocacy organisation working in Scotland on women’s labour market equality.
Violence Against Women
The programme is the first accreditation programme to focus on gender equality at work and prevention of Violence Against Women such as sexual harassment, domestic abuse, talking, rape and sexual assault, and so-called “honour-based” violence.
Pilot project
During the pilot which ran from January 2019 to November 2020, the council undertook a wide range of activities to advance gender equality at work and to tackle Violence Against Women.
Activities
An awareness-raising event was held to engage with elected members to increase understanding and awareness of Violence Against Women at work. The council also recognised that supporting women to participate in networks enables access to external expertise which helps tackle women’s under representation in senior roles.
One of only 4 councils
Midlothian Council along with Aberdeen City Council, North Lanarkshire Council and Shetland Islands Council received their accreditation in a virtual award ceremony on 9 March 2021.
Committed to progressing gender equality
Dr Grace Vickers, Chief Executive of Midlothian Council said:
“We are delighted that Midlothian Council has been awarded bronze accreditation for the Equally Safe at Work pilot. We are committed to progressing gender equality and preventing violence against women and are proud to be one of the first Scottish councils to participate in this project. This accreditation highlights the level of ambition and aspiration within the council to address women’s inequality at work and prevent violence against women in the workplace and in wider society.”
Anna Ritchie Allan, Executive Director of Close the Gap, said:
“We’re delighted to award bronze accreditation to councils which are sector leaders on gender equality at work. Employers that take steps to advance gender equality and diversity at work are more innovative, more productive, better able to manage skills gaps, and are better protected from the costly risk of discrimination.”