Dear colleagues
The recent ECU Update 07/05 Advancing equality for men and women: government's proposals for a gender duty www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/updates notes that the government will be giving further consideration to the extent to which it would be appropriate for the specific duties to aply to schools, colleges and universities. It goes on to say that ECU will be providing a detailed response to the DTI consultation and that our early thoughts on the consultation document are that HEIs should be included in the list of public bodies subject to the specific duties.
Chrissie Pepper and Erica Halvorsen who lead on gender issues for the Unit are both on leave at the moment. Chrissie will be back on November 2nd and Erica on the 7th and both will be happy to answer further queries then. Meantime, we would encourage all HEIs to respond to the consultation. Please do let us know, either via the mailbase or via individual emails ( please send to [log in to unmask] and not to me) what your views are on this particular aspect of the proposals.
With good wishes
Liz Sutherland on behalf of ECU
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Mari Piper
Sent: 25 October 2005 11:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Gender Equality Duty
I'm pleased to hear that others are campaigning with us to get education
included - it is a huge oversight and definitely problematic.
The consultation on the Gender Equality Duty itself is being conducted
by the DTI who have drafted the Equality Bill that houses the Gender
Equality Duty. The link to their consultation can be found here:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-1540.html . I am glad
that you and the other members of the HE EO mailing list are in
agreement about this, and I would encourage all members to respond to
the DTI consultation with this message.
The EOC will also be submitting a consultation to the DTI making this
point, among others. When our response has been completed, it will be on
our website.
Hope that helps; if there is anything else, please drop me a line!
Heather
-----Original Message-----
From: Mari Piper [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 10:48 AM
To: Heather Barclay
Subject: FW: Gender Equality Duty
Heather,
There is an e-mail discussion group for equal opportunities, which has
recently been discussing the fact that we are excluded from the Gender
Duty. I've passed your e-mail address to the list, for anyone who wants
to offer the EOC support to challenge HEIs exclusions from the duty. I
hope that's okay. A copy of the e-mails are below.
Mari Piper
Equality and Diversity Manager
CSB 7/21
University of Huddersfield
Queensgate
Huddersfield
HD1 3DH
Tel: 01484 473146
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mari Piper
Sent: 25 October 2005 10:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty
In the recent Equal Opportunities Commission seminar that I went to, the
EOC said they were probably going to challenge this exclusion. As I
understand it, the exclusion was originally in place because the DfES
had pointed out that the RRA was not working for schools - LEAs are
required to so Impact Assessments, not schools, and schools don't have
to have an Equality Scheme. Several Universities and Unions offered
encouragement to the EOC to make such a challenge. If anyone would like
to e-mail them directly to add support to the idea that we should be
covered the e-mail address I have for someone involved in this is
[log in to unmask]
Mari Piper
Equality and Diversity Manager
CSB 7/21
University of Huddersfield
Queensgate
Huddersfield
HD1 3DH
Tel: 01484 473146
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Faith Marchal
Sent: 25 October 2005 10:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gender Equality Duty
Dear all,
Agree with Melanie and Berry about the omission of HEIs (as well as
FEIs) from this list. It seems bizarre considering HEIs have public
sector duties in related race / disability legislation, so I can only
imagine it must be a copyediting error. But who knows! Whatever the
reason, it needs to be pointed out in consultation responses.
Best wishes,
Faith
---------------------
Faith Marchal
HR Consultant - Diversity
Anglia Ruskin University
Bishop Hall Lane
Chelmsford CM1 1SQ
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
tel: 01245 493131, ext 4928
----- Original Message -----
From: "Melanie Landells" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 12:35 PM
Subject: Gender Equality Duty
Dear Colleagues,
I was very surprised to see that HEI's in England and Wales (but not
Scotland) have been omitted from the list of bodies with specific duties
in the forthcoming public sector duty to promote gender equality.
For several reasons, not least the situation in the sector with regard
to women in senior positions, I believe all HEI's should have specific
duties.
I will be responding to the DTI consultation to lobby for the inclusion
of the HE sector in England and Wales.
What do other colleagues think?
Best wishes,
Mel
Melanie Landells
Head of Equality & Diversity
Secretariat - Equality & Diversity
4, Portland Villas,
Plymouth University
Plymouth PL4 8AA
[log in to unmask]
Tel: 01752 233973
Fax 01752 238628
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Heather Barclay
Policy Officer
Equal Opportunities Commission
Tel: 0161 838 8310
Fax: 0161 838 8303
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