Race and Human Rights
Racial justice in human rights is an obligation for all in Scotland.
We believe that all individuals have the fundamental right, regardless of their race or ethnic background, to live with dignity, equity, and freedom from discrimination. Where all public services are held to account and are working to eradicate systemic inequalities. Our vision is a just and equitable society. Our Race for Human Rights programme works with all sectors to help embed embed change.
Although our work focuses on providing much needed support to the ethnic minority sector and its communities, it is equally important to work with and provide support to mainstream white organisations to address systemic and institutional racism through changing racist workplace culture, developing anti-racist policies and practices and ensuring equalities leadership at all levels.
In the broader equalities context, it is also important to view race equality through a human rights lens, incorporating the panel principles, intersectionality and the legal framework.
Consultancy
Funded by the Scottish Government through the Equality and Human Rights Fund, the R4HR programme is centred around consultancy support to address institutional racism and mainstream race equality and human rights across all sectors. Since the launch of our programme in 2021, we have helped organisations to improve their workforce diversity, data collection, recruitment processes and equality strategies.
Training
Our programme regularly delivers anti-racism and human rights training, webinars, and learning workshops. Whether it is tailored to specific organisational needs or general training for public service providers, there is something for everyone to empower them in their anti-racism journey.
Policy Responses
We gather evidence through our consultancy support and engagement with the communities we work with to inform policy and decision-making. Our principle is to empower ethnic minority communities to have their say in things that matter to them and ensure their needs and perspectives are centred in policymaking.
Community Engagement
Scottish Minority Ethnic Womens Network
Our network has grown from a grassroots movement into a strategic voice in Scotland’s gender and equalities landscape. With capacity-building and funding support from CEMVO Scotland, SMEWN has grown to over 160 members since our official launch in 2019. It is currently led by an Advisory Board consisting of women with a valuable range of lived experiences and backgrounds and chaired by Manira Ahmad.
Here’s how we’re driving change:
Policy Engagement and Influence: We collaborate with public bodies, third sector organisations, and government departments to ensure ethnic minority women’s voices are present where decisions are made. We provide evidence and lived experience to shape gender and racial equality strategies across Scotland.
Leadership Development: Through our events and leadership programmes, we create platforms where women of colour can build confidence, share knowledge, and step into positions of influence. Whether it’s preparing women to sit on boards or speak at national events, we’re investing in long-term leadership.
Creating Safe Spaces: One of our most valued contributions is facilitating culturally competent and trauma-informed spaces where ethnic minority women can speak freely about the challenges they face, from barriers to employment, to health inequalities, to gender-based violence. These conversations don’t just stay in the room—they inform our collective advocacy.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: We work with organisations across education, health, justice, and business to challenge institutional bias and embed equity into systems. We also support those who want to be better allies but aren’t sure where to start.
