Equality and Diversity

Gender Equality Scheme

Introduction

1.1 The aim of the Gender Equality Scheme is to help deliver better services to the people of the Western Isles. All the Comhairle’s policies, practices and services are based on equality of opportunity in service delivery and employment.

1.2 The Equality Act 2006 requires the Comhairle to produce it’s Gender Equality Scheme. The Scheme will build on the equality and inclusion work being carried out and will further enable us to develop actions to achieve equality for women, men, girls and boys.

1.3 The Comhairle is;

• committed to eliminating gender inequality
• promoting equality between women, men, girls and boys
• recognises that there are gender differences in;
• peoples life chances
• the services they gain access to
• the type of jobs they do
• how well pupils achieve at school
• acknowledges that other equality issues such as race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age also affect peoples lives.

1.4 The Comhairle recognises that there is more work to be done in this area.  The Scheme, when approved, will be regularly monitored, reviewed and developed in line with best practice and legislation.