Defence Forces Equality, Diversity, and Equal Status Policies 2007

CHAPTER 3.
ORGANISING FOR EQUALITY WITHIN THE DEFENCE
FORCES
3.1 Discrimination and Promotion of Equality
The Equality Acts promote equality of opportunity and prohibits discrimination in the Defence
Forces across the seven (7) grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation,
race, religion, and membership of the Traveller community. The Defence Forces have policies,
practices and procedures in place to prevent discrimination and to promote equality. Defence
Forces Equality and Diversity Policies are not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It provides
the foundation for a workplace culture of equality and a workplace characterised by equality
outcomes. Each Brigade and Formation will appoint a Staff Officer with responsibility for
Equality matters in order to assist a progressive implementation of Defence Forces policy
3.2 Responsibilities
‘We are all responsible, as soldiers, for ensuring equality happens’.
3.2.1 General Staff, Brigade/Formation Commanders and Directorates
• Provide leadership in developing an organisational culture, which supports Equality in
the Defence Forces.
• Ensuring that equality of opportunity is a central concern and that equality is
mainstreamed in all Defence Forces policies, strategies, instructions and regulations.
• Creating awareness at all levels of the issues and the benefits of equal opportunity
policies, including family-friendly working arrangements.
• Ensuring that instructions to counter harassment, sexual harassment and bullying are
supported and implemented.
• Ensuring that training is undertaken to support the implementation and ownership of
equality in the Defence Forces.