Gender equality duty: are you ready?
Under the Equality Act 2006 public bodies, including local authorities and schools, must now take account of a general duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment on grounds of sex and to promote equality of opportunity between women and men.
Specific duties to support this general duty have also come into force. The specific duties require each authority to prepare and publish a gender equality scheme and action plan. These schemes must be in place by 30 April 2007, and be followed by annual progress reports with a full review every three years.
The specific duties will involve authorities in setting some strong and achievable objectives which should make a difference in their roles as employers, service deliverers, and community leaders.
Authorities should aim to address the most significant gender equality issues within their remit. This will involve an ongoing process of gathering and using information, assessing the impact of policies and practices on gender equality, and consulting relevant people.
The new duties will present considerable challenges for authorities, but help is available. The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) provides a considerable range of resources. The Code of Practice (published in November 2006) is now supplemented by advice for specific sectors:
- central and local government
- education
- health
- criminal justice.
The guidance for local authorities explains the new duties in the context of the recent White Paper and developments such as Local Area Agreements, citizen participation, Every Child Matters, and Comprehensive Performance Assessment. It includes useful outlines of the main issues facing authorities, and action plans and top tips for key people.
Elected members are legally accountable for the implementation of the duty and will find the guidance and tips particularly helpful.
An LGIU policy briefing on the Gender Code of Practice is available to members.
16/04/2007