EOC welcomes key milestone in path to biggest change to sex equality law in 30 years

After the Gender Equality Duty Code of Practice was laid before Parliament on Wednesday, the Equal Opportunities Commission has made the Code available on its website today. It represents a key milestone in the path towards the biggest change to sex equality legislation in 30 years.

The Gender Equality Duty, which comes into force in April 2007, has been introduced in recognition of the need for a radical new approach to equality – one which challenges public bodies to provide services and adopt policies that promote equality for women and men, rather than leaving it to individuals to challenge poor practice.

Many public authorities in England (and those with functions in both England and Wales) must have gender equality schemes in place by the end of April 2007.

Jenny Watson, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission, said:"This is an exciting time for equality in Britain. The gender equality duty will be a powerful tool to deliver real change and practical improvements in the lives of women and men through helping public services tackle gender inequality, which remains persistent and widespread.

"The duty will help public sector managers to make public bodies more responsive to the realities of how we live our lives – in addition to making more efficient use of tax payer's money. It should be a catalyst for real change in the way public bodies think about their work, and the way policies and services are designed and delivered.

"who deliver services are realising that a one-size-fits-all approach to design and delivery no longer meets the needs of 21st century Britain. The duty will help the public sector understand and address the different needs of women and men -- leading to more user-friendly services as well as making better use of the talents of both women and men in the workforce."

Go to the Equal Opportunities Commission website