Government Equalities Office

Jo Swinson
To ask the Minister for Women what estimate she has made of the proportion of the work of the Government Equalities Office on gender discrimination which concerns discrimination against men.

Barbara Follett
Only a small proportion of the work of the Government Equalities Office focuses specifically on discrimination against men, because in tackling those inequalities that persist in society, women are still affected more than men as can be seen in areas such as the pay gap and levels of domestic and sexual violence, which I have highlighted as priority areas for action.

However the office's work on sex discrimination legislation, applies equally to women and men, and the introduction of the Gender Equality Duty earlier this year will ensure that all public authorities take account of the different needs of women and men in developing policy and in service provision. Work within the office towards a Single Equalities Act, aims to create a clearer and more streamlined discrimination legislative framework which produces better outcomes for those who currently experience disadvantage, irrespective of sex.

It is therefore not possible to make a specific percentage estimate of time spent addressing discrimination against men. But understanding more about the inequalities and discrimination facing men is important to achieving gender equality and for that reason, Ministers for Women are hosting a round table in December on this subject, to raise awareness of, and gain a better understanding of the specific challenges and barriers facing men. The event will inform thinking on ways that both sexes, working together, can improve the balance of work and family life to, and to better understand attitudes towards sexual exploitation and violence.