Gender Equality Scheme - Swansea University

The University Equal Opportunities Committee has been established in excess of 15 years and
it will undertake the responsibility of officially reporting on the development, progress and
effective implementation of the University Gender Equality Scheme. In addition to the Equal
Opportunities Committee (EOC) the University has established a Gender Working Group (A-
Gender). The Working Group remit is to report to the EOC on the development, progress and
effective implementation of the University Gender Equality Scheme. The Swansea University
Womens Informal Network will have representation on the Equal Opportunities Committee
which will ensure a continued avenue for communication, consultation and involvement of this
group. The University Students Union has a Womens Sabbatical Officer and the Students
Union is already represented on the Committee.
The priority objectives expressed in this Scheme have been directly influenced by the above
participation groups. A report highlighting the issues raised by these groups is attached at
Appendix IV.
Impact Assessment
It is our intention to assess the impact or the likely impact that our policies and practices have
on gender equality, including an assessment of whether the policies and practices are
contributing to the causes of the gender pay gap. Policies and practices covers all the
proposed and current activities that the University carries out, including employment and
services. This will ensure that the University’s activities do not inadvertently disadvantage
students, staff or visitors whilst providing an opportunity to better promote equality of
opportunity. In 2004, the University embarked on a 3 year impact assessment process for racial
equality. Whilst the initial process has been completed, a number of refinements are being
made to ensure the process is mainstreamed and consistent in quality. The race equality
impact assessment process is due to continue in 2007 and our intent is to combine race,
disability and gender into an “equality” impact assessment process where each identified
policy/practice will be assessed for all 3 areas at the same time using the existing “Swansea
University Guidance Document for the Impact Assessment Process”. All policies/procedures
identified will be given a priority (High, Medium or Low), to determine the order in which policies
are to be assessed during the period of the first three year scheme. Further detail can be found
in the attached Action Plan at Appendix V. Existing methodology used to determine
assessment priority will be used.
A review of the effectiveness of the impact assessment process will be undertaken every 3
years during the scheme revision. This will ensure that due regard has been given to gender
equality in the overall impact assessment process.
Publication of impact assessments.
The results of any gender impact assessments undertaken will be published via the annual
gender report which will be put on the internal and external websites. The annual report will
also be sent to the EOC/CEHR in Wales.
4. Functions of the University
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