Gender Equality Act

The Gender Equality Act came into force in England, Scotland and Wales in April 2007 and requires public authorities to

• promote equality of opportunity between men and women
• eliminate unlawful harassment and sex discrimination, including against transsexual people.
  

Public authorities include all government departments and other 'core' authorities and National Health Service Trusts.   The duty also applies to other organisations, including within the private and voluntary sectors, which are exercising public functions. 

The Gender Equality Duty is underpinned by  a number of specific duties, which can help public authorities to better perform the duty.

The Government have updated their Gender Equality Duty Factsheet to ensure that public bodies continue to honour their obligations in the run up to the implementation of the new Equality Act.

 Download the most recent and revised fact sheet here:
101027  Gender Equality Duty-FactSht.pdf (1871 kb)

This document includes information on --

• Why do we need a duty ?
• What does it mean for public authorities?
• Freqently asked questions