Gender Representation on Public Boards (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

# Gender Representation on Public Boards (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill Scottish public boards have historically been male-dominated, with women significantly underrepresented in senior governance roles. The original Gender Representation on Public Boards Act 2018 established targets requiring 40% female representation on public boards by 2022. This amendment bill addresses the finding that the original legislation did not go far enough and that persistent gender imbalance remained a barrier to equal opportunities and effective governance. The bill seeks to strengthen the framework for achieving and maintaining gender balance across Scotland's public sector boards. The amendment introduces more stringent requirements and updated targets for female representation, extending the scope of boards covered by the legislation and tightening timescales for achieving diversity goals. Key provisions include revised percentage targets for women's board membership, expanded definitions of affected public bodies, and enhanced enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. The bill also introduces measures to address intersectional representation, recognising the need for diversity beyond gender alone. These changes aim to create a more systematic and enforceable approach to board diversity, with stronger accountability measures for public bodies that fail to meet the new standards.

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