Gender equality duty

The Sex Discrimination Act (1975) for the first time made discrimination on the basis of gender unlawful. In 2006 the Equality Act was introduced and created a new duty for Local Authorities to promote gender equality. The Equality Act places a statutory duty – the Gender Equality Duty on public authorities. The duty contains two parts; the ‘general’ duty and the ‘specific’ duty.

The general duty

This duty states that the Council, when carrying out its functions, must have ‘due regard’ to the need:

to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment, this includes the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment in employment and vocational training (including further and higher education), for people who intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment;

to promote equality of opportunity between men and women

Specific Duty

In order to achieve the general duty Local Authorities are required to undertake several specific duties. These are:

Prepare and publish a gender equality scheme by the end of April 2007
Have considered whether there is the need to include actions to address the causes of any gender pay gap
Gather and use information on how policies and practices affect gender equality in the workforce and in the delivery of services
Consult employees, service users and others, including trade unions
Assess the impact of its current and proposed policies and practices on gender equality
To implement the actions set out in its scheme over a three year period
To report against the scheme every year and review the scheme at least every three years.

Please find a copy of our Gender Equality Scheme attached.

We need your help to ensure that the Council’s new Gender Equality Scheme continues to reflect the views and needs of the community as a whole. Please e-mail us on leisure@spelthorne.gov.uk with your comments.

Furrther information

Equal Opportunities Commission