Gender Duty
Gender Duty
Under the Equalities Act 2006, the council has a Gender Duty to
- eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment
- promote equality of opportunity between women and men
To support the delivery of the general duty there are also a series of specific duties. These are -
- Prepare and publish a gender equality scheme, which sets out gender equality objectives (no later than 30 April 2007)
- Consider the need to include objectives to address the causes of any gender pay gap
- Gather and use information on how the council's policies and practices affect gender equality in employment and service delivery
- Consult stakeholders in determining the objectives
- Assess the impact of current and proposed policies and practices
Implement the actions in the scheme and monitor annually - Review the scheme every three years.
Gender Stereotyping
Gender stereotyping results in discrimination against both women and men. It restricts individual choice and can lead to wasted talent and unfulfilled potential. It can result in lower pay for those jobs seen traditionally as 'women's work'. Individuals should be respected for the choices they make and they should be valued in the work that they do. What is needed is action to ensure that women who want to make it to the top in their career do not hit a glass ceiling, that boys who want to pursue dance or a career in childcare are not constrained from doing so, that girls who want to be engineers and scientists receive all the encouragement they need, that part time workers are not denied promotion.
The Commission for Equality and Human Rights has recently published 'Sex and Power' that shows that Britain is still failing to tap into the talents of women.
We have produced a fact sheet giving information about gender stereotyping and its effects.
