Equal opportunities, fair access and inclusion

Medway Council’s Gender Equality Scheme (GES) (pdf 250KB) aims to promote equality of opportunity between men and women. To use the pdf files on this page, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use our advice page.

The Equality Act 2006 (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060003.htm) amends the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to ensure that all public authorities address the need to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment and
• promote equality of opportunity between men and women.

This is known as the "general duty" and came into force on 6 April 2007. This scheme sets out how the council plans to respond to its duties on gender equality effectively.

The duty applies to all of the council’s functions, including:

• policy-making;
• service provision;
• employment matters;
• enforcement or any statutory discretion and decision-making;
• goods and services which are contracted out to private and voluntary bodies which are carrying out public functions.

To meet the general duty, the council must meet a number of "specific duties". These are:

• prepare and publish a GES, setting out gender equality objectives;
• consider whether there is a need to include actions to address the causes of the 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 with stakeholders (i.e. employees, service users and others, including trade unions);
• assess the impact of current and proposed policies and practice on gender equality;
• implement the actions outlined in the GES within three years;
• report annually on the progress of the scheme and review the GES at least every three years.

The Gender Equality Duty is the biggest change in sex equality legislation for 30 years. It gives local authorities legal responsibility for demonstrating that they treat men and women fairly.

The council is committed to putting customers at the heart of everything it does - one of its strategic priorities. The GES is consistent with that aim. The council is aware of its responsibility to provide effective services which meet the needs of all users. To deliver effective services means recognising the different needs of both men and women.

The Annual Review of the GES 2008 (pdf 210KB) is a tool for addressing gender equality issues in local areas and having a positive impact on residents.

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