Gender Action Implementation Group Meeting - Meeting Notes

23 February 2022

Gender Action Implementation Group Meeting (GAPIG)

11.00am, Wednesday 23 February 2022

MS Teams 

Attendees:

Karen Martin (Chairperson)

Maria Bannon

Louise Close

Kate McCullough

Liz Milligan

Apologies:

James Gilsenan

Sebastien Mingout

Raymond Russell

Richard Stewart

The minutes from last meeting were agreed.

1. QUB research project – update on research:

Group members were provided with an update on research regarding the QUB research project.   It was said that a summary of findings had been received and that a meeting would be arranged between the Chief Executive, the Director of Corporate Services and the QUB researcher to discuss these findings.   It was explained that as at the 22 February 2022, the research element of the project was complete with outstanding administration elements to be completed.

2. Draft Transgender policy:

The group were informed that the draft Transgender policy had gone out for consultation with staff and a number of transgender organisations.  It was said that the draft policy would be tabled at the SMG meeting on Friday 25 February 2022.  The group were advised that further consultation would be needed on the visitor element of the policy and that an update on this would be provided at the next meeting. 

The draft policy was discussed including policy training for staff and training with a customer services focus. 

The group were advised of the benefits of using the tool Citizen Space and how it could be utilised for future consultations going forward.  It was suggested that a demo of Citizen Space could be provided to the group by the Engagement Team. 

Action: Demo on Citizen Space to be arranged for the group.

3. Group membership (GAPIG):

It was suggested that all business areas should be represented on the group and that this would continue to be monitored. It was stated that the make-up of the group was gender balanced. 

4. Gender Action Plan: standing action:

It was outlined that a meeting was needed to decide whether a successor gender action plan was required, and if so a policy development plan would be required. It was noted that the current plan has 14 actions.  It was suggested a review all of the secretariat gender action plans was required.  The group were informed that the closure report from 2016-2018 plan is available on AssISt.

It was agreed that the gender group should attend the discussion meeting having read previous plans and closure reports.    It was suggested the discussion meeting should be held in June and last for 2-hour duration and that attendance should be encouraged. 

Action: Links to all previous action plans and closure reports to be sent out to the group.
 

AOB:

The group was informed of a number of events that would be taking place for Internal Women’s Day:

• Women Parliamentarians of Northern Ireland Exhibition – to be launched on 4 March 2022.

• Women’s Parliament – 4 March 2022 – available to view on the assembly website.

• Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: Breaking the Grass Ceiling Report Launch – 8 March 2022.
  
  

Next meeting: –  Training Room 135 on 16 June 2022 at 10am-12 noon