The Gender Equality Duty
The Gender Equality Duty came into force on 6 April 2007. All public
authorities (including schools) must demonstrate that they are promoting
equality for women and men and that they are eliminating sexual discrimination
and harassment. They are also required to have a gender-equality scheme in
place by the end of April 2007. The code of practice and other useful
information like questions and answers are available on the Equal
Opportunities Commission website.
The Department (in conjunction with the Implementation Review Unit) has also produced a short toolkit for schools pulling together the various strands of equality legislation for schools.
Young people need advice too was published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in July 2007. It aims to help advisors work out whether a young person might have been unlawfully discriminated against on the grounds of their sex.
The Women and Equality Unit also has useful background information to support the teaching of gender issues.
Last updated: 11 November 2008
