Gender
Sheffield City Council believes in promoting Gender Equality to ensure that Sex Discrimination in employment and services does not take place. Incorporating a gender perspective into policies means not thinking about people as an homogenous group but as distinct groups with differing needs, characteristics and behaviours. By assessing the impact of our policies and the different effect they have on men and women we can provide better services in the future.
The Sex Discrimination Act outlaws sex discrimination in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services. However, it does not prevent discrimination from taking place, it addresses it after it has happened.
If a man or woman experiences sex discrimination they can challenge it through the legal system. Unfortunately many people would not choose the legal process due to cost or the fear of losing their job. It can be stressful for the individual and their families and can take years to resolve a case. Consequently discrimination is often left unchallenged and unchecked.
The Government has introduced a new duty on public bodies to promote gender equality to place clear responsibility for taking action on equality with public bodies themselves, rather than relying on individuals to take action. Public bodies will be required to ensure that their policies on services and employment address the different needs of women and men. This will involve public bodies setting their own gender equality goals in the design and delivery of their services and the way they employ staff. This does not mean introducing quotas for women or positive discrimination in employment. The duty came into force in April 2007. You can download a document below for advice on setting Gender Equality Targets.
Please find below a downloadable version of our Gender Equality Scheme 2007 - 2010 and the first annual review April 2008.
You can also download from this page a report from the Gender Seminar held on 11th January 2007 in the Town Hall, Initiated by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jackie Drayton and the Oxfam ReGender project.
For more information on Gender work in the Council please contact Kate Flannery by email: kate.flannery@sheffield.gov.uk or phone: 0114 27 34024.
Please explore the Gender section of our site using the links in the Equality and Diversity menu. Below you can also download a report produced for the Objective 1 Programme Directorate by Sheffield Hallam University on the Gender Profile of South Yorkshire's Labour Market.
Downloads
Sheffield City Council Gender Equality Scheme 2007 - 2010 (247 KB)
The first annual review of the Council's Gender Equality Scheme (240 KB)
A document providing guidance on setting gender equality targets (28 KB)
A report on the seminar held by The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jackie Drayton on the 11th January 2007 (354 KB)
A research report undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of Objective 1. (1.15 MB)
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