§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's gender strategy is. [47696]
§ Hilary BennInequalities between women and men are deeply embedded, and they need to be tackled in economic, political, social and cultural life. We are concentrating on supporting changes in policy, laws and attitudes, while maintaining links with work at the grass roots. Our strategy is set out in "Poverty Elimination and the Empowerment of Women", published in September 2000.
In respect of its role as an employer, DFID's gender policy is based on a long-standing policy of equal opportunities in respect of all aspects of our recruitment and employment practices. We have targets for the representation of women. A diversity audit, which addresses gender and other issues, is currently underway looking at DFID's policies and practices, and we are planning an equal pay audit.