The Equality Unit's work on gender equality has concentrated largely on women's issues because women disproportionately experience discrimination and inequality. We do recognise, however, that there are areas where men also experience disadvantage, for example, by workplace cultures that do not recognise or support their family or childcare responsibilities and so deny them the opportunity to take advantage of flexible working arrangements. Men also may not be recognised routinely as active parents by family services and they too experience poor health outcomes across a range of health issues that do not properly take account of their needs as men and boys.
We know that we need to do more around men's issues and seek men's contribution to the broader issues around equality. This was acknowledged by making 'improving networks with men' a key objective in the Scottish Government's Gender Equality Scheme 2008-2011.
We held a meeting in November 2008 of Equality Unit contacts, internal and external and across equality strands, of people with an interest in - and knowledge of - a variety of issues concerning men and boys.
Minutes of the meeting of 20 November 2008
This progress was reported in the gender equality scheme annual report, which was published in March 2009. The 2011 annual report is available here.
We maintained contact with the men's network and circulated the consultation document on the specific duties that might be placed on public authorities to assist the delivery of the Equality Duty. There were however difficulties in meeting during 2009 and we are looking at alternative ways to engage with the range of interests.
It is important that men's views inform our policy development. We have therefore asked our contacts to let us know whether there is a better way for us to connect with men and whether there are any other organisations, not around the table at the November 2008 meeting, that might be involved in future meetings or a network.
In April 2011, the gender equality duty was replaced by the new single equality duty in the Equality Act 2010. This new duty does not require publication of a scheme.