One of the things that I pledged when I became First Minister was that I’d do everything I could to improve opportunities for women and girls.
As the first woman to have the privilege of holding this office it’s a commitment I take seriously and I’m proud the government I lead has implemented bold policies in areas such as employment, education and justice that will help to achieve gender equality.
We are implementing a massive expansion of childcare already legislated for 50/50 membership of public boards, funded projects which are helping women enter the workforce and pursue a variety of careers, passed far-reaching domestic abuse laws, and we are making progress in reducing the gender pay gap.
In fact, Scotland has just been named the best place in the UK for gender workplace equality and today I will be publishing the Scottish Government’s first Gender Pay Gap Action Plan which will set out the measures we will be taking to further close the gap.
We must continue to accelerate progress and do this by working together across government, civic society and business.
That is why I established the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls’, combining expertise from across these areas to provide recommendations for tackling gender inequality in Scotland.
The government is currently considering how the advice in their first report can help us and others to think differently and improve equality.
Whilst there is much to say about our work tackling gender inequalities domestically, I am delighted that the Scottish Government is also supporting this agenda internationally.
I have made clear our dual commitment to the UN Global Goals, not simply to make Scotland a fairer and more prosperous country, but also for Scotland to play its part in creating a fairer and more prosperous world.
I am pleased that international development projects we are funding in Sub-Saharan Africa and Pakistan prioritise the empowerment of women.
Scotland is leading by example and last month I was honoured to be appointed the first UN Women #HeForShe Global Advocate which will mean showing solidarity with and supporting UN Women’s work to end global gender inequality.
Achieving parity must be a global priority.
It is the responsibility of every one of us and the UN campaign aims– to encourage men as well as women to speak up and take action to break down the everyday barriers women face.
As part of my role as an Advocate, I have committed to do all I can to encourage men in positions of power to play their part in tackling women’s inequality locally and internationally.
Together I believe that we can consign issues around gender pay, inequalities in education and female underrepresentation to history.
On this International Women’s Day, that and every other day, let us all challenge discrimination wherever it occurs to ensure the generations which come after us no longer have to fight these battles.
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