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CHAPTER 5 - GENDER EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Background
5.1 Equality Impact Assessment ( EQIA) is a tool for mainstreaming equality across policy and practice. It is a mechanism for the thorough and systematic analysis of a policy, to be used at the time of reviewing an existing policy, changing an existing policy or developing a new policy. The function of an EQIA is to determine the extent of differential and/or adverse impact upon the relevant groups. The process also enables those using it to identify remedies and measures that might be taken to advance equality. EQIA is about building in equality considerations from the very beginning of the policy-making process and provides the tools and processes for mainstreaming equality effectively.
The Scottish Government's approach to EQIA
5.2 The Scottish Government's approach to EQIA is to cover all 6 of the equality strands - age, race, disability, gender, religion and belief, and sexual orientation.
5.3 An EQIA will be considered for the full range of the Government's activities, strategies, functions, policies, legislation, processes and, where relevant, service delivery.
5.4 Our EQIA was developed in-house and benefited from discussions with external organisations with knowledge of equality impact assessment methods including the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Disability Rights Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equality Network and others.
The Scottish Government's EQIA toolkit, guidance and training
5.5 We have developed an EQIA toolkit and associated guidance which is available online through the Scottish Government's intranet. What this means is that the toolkit and guidance are available to all staff on their desktop computers.
5.6 A full programme of briefing on the public equality duties and on EQIA has been delivered to support the introduction of the EQIA process. This programme started in June 2006. The briefings were delivered on a departmental basis to groups of Scottish Government officials from across a range of civil service grades. The aim has been to ensure that all Scottish Government Directorates have staff briefed in use of the EQIA.
5.7 The Scottish Government's EQIA looks at four key areas. These are:
1. Policy - a clear definition of the policy and its aims;
2. Collecting evidence and involvement/engagement with equality groups;
3. Differential Impact - reaching an informed decision on whether or not there is a differential impact on equality groups, at what level and what you will do to address any adverse impact;
4. Measuring outcomes - stating methods for monitoring and evaluating the policy to ensure that it is continuing to achieve the expected outcomes for all groups.
5.8 To help deliver this, the Scottish Government's EQIA includes the following ten step process:
Step 1 - Define the aims of your policy.
Step 2 - What do you already know about the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience?
Step 3 - What else do you need to know to help you understand the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience?
Step 4 - What does the information you have tell you about how this policy might impact positively or negatively on the different groups within the target audience?
Step 5 - Will you be making any changes to your policy?
Step 6 -Does your policy provide the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity or good relations?
Step 7 - Based on the work you have done - rate the level of relevance of your policy - HIGH, MEDIUM OR LOW.
Step 8 - Do you need to carry out a further impact assessment?
Step 9 - Please explain how you will monitor and evaluate this policy to measure progress.
Step 10 - Sign off and publish impact assessment.
5.9 Guidance is available at each step and staff must complete the relevant sections of an online database which has been set up to record this process. The Scottish Government's EQIA toolkit and guidance are available online at the people and society, equality pages on the Government's website. A link to this website is attached in the Annex.
5.10 The Scottish Government Equality Unit also offers support to staff on an individual basis and hosts regular 'drop-in surgeries' to provide support for those undertaking EQIAs.
5.11 Our EQIA and guidance require policy makers to be proactive and look at how they promote equality of opportunity in everything they do.
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