The Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay legislation has existed since the 1970s and further legislation has come on stream as follows:
- The Gender (Reassignment) Regulations 1999 make it entirely clear that transsexual men and women are expressly included in the Sex Discrimination Act where they suffer discrimination because they have undergone, or are about to undergo gender reassignment.
- Outside the employment context, from 4th April 2005, the Gender Recognition Act 2004 has ensured that transsexual people who have successfully registered with the Gender Recognition Panel will be recognised, can marry and be given a new birth certificate all using their acquired gender.
The Gender Duty comes into force in April 2007, public authorities will have to take action to eliminate sex discrimination and harassment and to promote equality for women and men.
The Duty gives public authorities legal responsibility for demonstrating that they treat women and men fairly in everything from policy making, to services and employment. Examples might be:
- Schools encouraging girls and boys into non-traditional careers
- Primary health services being used as much by men as by women
- Effective strategies to prevent domestic violence and support survivors.
Gender Equality Scheme (pdf). This was approved by the County Council's Cabinet on 19th April 2007 and is incorporated within our Single Equality Scheme.
Gender Equality Action Plan (pdf) |