What is gender equality work?
The central equality officers support and advise the university management on strategic decisions, as well as the various committees and organisational units, in order to ensure compliance with the statutory equality mandate set out in the North Rhine-Westphalia State Equality Act (LGG NRW) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Higher Education Act (HG NRW). These laws set out the duties, rights and obligations of the equality officers and provide the legal basis for our actions.
This gives rise to the following tasks, in which it is important to take gender equality considerations into account – in both the academic and administrative spheres.
Support for appointment committees and recruitment and staff selection processes
Consultations on gender equality
Attending meetings of the Senate, the Executive Board, the University Council, the Faculty Conference and other bodies and committees
Contributing to working groups, e.g. on the revision of the University Statutes, the selection process for Germany Scholarships, and staff surveys
Participation in internal and external network meetings such as the Gender Congress, the State and Federal Conference of Equality Officers at Universities and University Hospitals (LaKof/bukof) and network meetings of social counselling services
Drafting and contributing to documents and regulations, such as the equality plan, the appointment regulations, (re-)accreditation processes, and guidance documents for equality work, Reports on gender equality issues and the guide to gender-inclusive language, as well as changes arising from the amendment to the Higher Education Act
Development and evaluation of a gender equality monitoring and control system
Drafting and submitting project applications, such as the ‘Professorinnenprogramm 2030’ and the BMFTR’s ‘Diversity’ funding programme, to secure third-party funding that promotes gender equality
Cooperation and exchange with the university’s advisory units
- Personalised advice on issues relating to equality and gender-based discrimination
- Measures to promote women in academia and leadership
- Support on the use of gender-equitable, sensitive and inclusive language, and the incorporation of gender equality considerations into research proposals
- Workshops and various event formats (including Female Empowerment and the Diversity Parcours) on the topics of gender equality and work-life balance
