Gender Action Implementation Group (GAPIG)
Thursday 1st December 2022
Thursday 1st December 2022 at 10.00am - 12.00 noon
Room 29 Parliament Buildings
Meeting notes
Attendees:
Karen Martin (Chairperson)
Maria Bannon
James Gilsenan
Liz Milligan
Michael Potter
Raymond Russell
Apologies:
Kate McCullough
Sebastien Mingout
1. Research
1.1 Karen Martin opened the meeting and provided a summary of the Raise research “Gender and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategies”. Maria Bannon confirmed that written comments had been received from Kate McCullough to form part of the discussion.
1.2 The Group discussed the research content which focused on outcomes-based gender strategies and examples of content-based strategies.
2. Development of a successor Gender Action Plan
2.1 The Group was updated on the 6-monthly Gender Action Plan update tabled at SMT in October 2022. It was confirmed that the next update in April 2023 would be a closure report for the current Gender Action Plan (2019-23).
2.2 At their October 2022 meeting, SMT discussed the requirement for a further Gender Action Plan. It was noted that the work on the preparation of the Audit of Inequalities had not identified gender issues. SMT concluded that in light of progress made through the Gender Action Plan 2019-23 and the preceding Plan, that a further Gender Action Plan was not required at this time. SMT noted that gender issues would continue to be monitored and addressed through other equality plans.
2.3 The Group noted the importance of continuing to focus on gender issues. Karen Martin confirmed that the Equality and Good Relations Unit had recently become part of the Human Resources Office and that monitoring of gender issues would continue under this new structure, including having a proactive approach in relation to new and emerging good practice.
2.4 Karen Martin reflected on the work and achievements of the Group since its formation in 2014 and thanked previous and current Group members for their commitment during this time.
Next steps:
Closure report to be produced by Equality and Good Relations Unit for presentation to SMT.
