Recognition of the importance of equality

2.25.58pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

County Councillor Zoé Patrick, Liberal Democrat Leader, was delighted that her motion, calling for the Oxfordshire County Council to sign the EU Charter of Equality for women and men in local life, was agreed by Council yesterday at its meeting of full Council.

The Council has already produced a Guide to Gender Equality and she believes that work has already been done as a preparation for this.

Zoé said, "The Council is now showing that it is already committed to equality between women and men in both employment and in providing services. However, this will mean that we shall be the first UK County Council to sign up. The EU Charter makes a formal public commitment to the principles of equality and it will raise Oxfordshire's international reputation. I am very pleased that the Council decided to sign the Charter."

Notes:

The European Charter for Equality of women and men in local life is set up to enable local authorities to use their powers and partnerships to achieve greater equality for their people. Although there are over 500 municipalities in Europe who have signed the Charter, there is only one authority so far in the UK (Chester-le-Street).

The Charter can be found at http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/46061