ARCHIVE: Key areas for progress in gender quality

The next section of this report sets out key areas of progress over the past twelve months.

It looks at:

  • the governance arrangements that we have set up
  • how we have involved men and women
  • the information we have gathered and how we have used it
  • how we are embedding the Equality Impact Assessment process
  • how we communicate with our people
  • training and development

Governance

Defra’s progress on gender equality is governed in a number of ways.

Diversity Champion’s Group (DCG)

Our Permanent Secretary, Helen Ghosh,  is the Defra Diversity Champion.  She chairs the Diversity Champion’s Group, which comprises Diversity Leads from each of the Defra business areas and agencies.  The Diversity Champion’s Group provides us with a structured approach by which to promote continuous improvement against Defra’s Equality Schemes and the broader Diversity Strategy, and provides a forum for sharing and exploring good practice.

Departmental and Equal Opportunities Committee (DEOC)

As part of our formal arrangements with the Departments Trade Union, the Defra Diversity Team and Diversity Leads from the agencies meet with Union Representatives twice each year to discuss equality issues. In addition to these formal meetings, the Diversity Team meets informally with Trade Union colleagues on a monthly basis to deal with issues as they arise and to aid collaborative working.

Gender Equality Scrutiny and Advisory Group (GESAG)

Defra established a Gender Scrutiny and Advisory Group in September 2008 to help monitor progress against our Gender Equality Scheme action plan. This group provides independent scrutiny and advice ensuring that a wider perspective is taken into account in carrying out our Gender Equality Scheme action plan. 

Independent Advice: This comprises of advice, guidance or constructive critical appraisal that is provided to Defra by GESAG as its advisors, to inform current decision-making, policy or practice. 

Scrutiny: The group will be responsible for scrutinising Defra’s progress on the Gender Equality Scheme, holding the organisation to account. 

The group comprises six independent gender equality experts with a range of skills, expertise and experience; and five staff representatives (including committee members from Defra’s Lesbian, Gay, Transgender Network and Work Life Balance Network.) The group was launched in September 2008. The group will maintain a watching brief over progress against the objectives in the Gender Equality Scheme.

Page last modified: 31 December 2008
Page published: 31 December 2008