Equally Safe at Work

This will see the Council undertake a number of activities over the next 18 months to progress gender equality and better support victim-survivors of violence against women.

This includes developing a policy on violence against women, looking at recruitment and progression practice, and holding awareness-raising sessions.

Achieving the accreditation aligns with the Council's strategic aims. Once the standard has been achieved and practices embedded in the organisation it will ensure progress continues in gender equality and preventing violence against women.

Perth & Kinross Council Chief Executive Thomas Glen said: "We recognise that there is a strong link between addressing gender inequality and preventing violence against women and so it is critical we address women's workplace inequality.

"As a Council we believe everyone should be treated with dignity and respect and so gender equality is a priority for us. It benefits everyone and it is important that all employees in the workplace feel safe and supported.

"Equally Safe at Work will enable Perth and Kinross Council to develop policies and practice that better reflect the needs of all employees and our Corporate Values and Priorities and also to ensure that we deliver the aims of the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act (2010)

Mr Glen added: "The changes we make will be sustainable and kept under review to ensure they always reflect the needs of the Council and our employees."