Where is the gender equality in who runs Scotland ?

In all the Sturm and Drang preceding the referendum vote,
many claimed that Scotland would be a "fairer" place
if only ........................................................................

In all the sturm and drang preceding the referendum vote, many claimed that Scotland would be a "fairer" place if only it was independent and had full power over its own affairs.  I take issue with the word "fairer", suggesting as it does that there is some ill-defined point at which the redistribution of wealth and the power-sharing has gone far enough and need go no further.  But that is for another blog.

Little attention has been given to what Scotland's government currently does with the devolved powers it has, particularly in the context of equality [which is different, very different, from "fairness"].  For instance, in the immediate aftermath of the referendum, there was a call for legal quotas being introduced so that there is a 50:50 women/men share of seats in Parliament and councils.  Interestingly, I read nothing about these quotas being used for those who are appointed to the boards of public bodies in Scotland and who have control over huge budgets and the operations of 78 public bodies.

It is Scottish government ministers alone who make these appointments, not Westminster.  There is no barrier to Scottish government choosing to increase the number of women on the boards of Scotland's public bodies, and so ensure that decision making which affects us all is fully and properly informed by the views and experiences of women.  Indeed, one could argue that the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010 would encourage such an approach and the Equality and Human Rights Commission publishes guidance on how to use positive action to overcome under-representation.

And yet, and yet.  Out of 574 seats at the tables of all of Scotland's public body boards, just 201 [35%] are filled by women.  If the 50:50 quota were applied to the seats on these boards, an additional 86 women need to be appointed.

Because there are 78 public bodies with appointed board members, there need to be 78 board chairpersons.  Out of those 78, 15 [19%] are women.  If the 50:50 quota principle were applied to the appointment of board chairpersons, and additional 24 women would need to be appointed.

Sometimes Scottish government needs to be called out on claiming it needs more power to make Scotland a "fairer" place.  Sometimes it is so obvious that even with complete power and control, Scottish government does not do equality, and certainly not when it comes to filling the board seats on who runs Scotland.