AQW 46752/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 05/06/2015
Answered On Date: 29/06/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the development of an action plan for the Gender Equality Strategy.

Answer:

A review of the Gender Equality Strategy and its associated cross departmental Action Plans was completed in 2013. In January 2014, taking on board the recommendations of the review, we approved the development of a new strategy.

Since that date meetings have taken place with a range of key stakeholders and the Gender Advisory Panel to update them on progress and include them in the development of the new strategy. A first draft of the new strategy was circulated to the Gender Advisory Panel in advance of their most recent meeting on 3 June 2015. Junior Minister McCann and Junior Minister McIlveen attended this meeting in a listening capacity.

The current strategy will remain in place until the new strategy is developed and operational. The new Strategy will require full public consultation, consideration by the OFMDFM Committee and Executive approval.

The next Gender Advisory Panel meeting is scheduled for August 2015.