Gender issues
This Resource Guide provides an update on sex discrimination legislation and links to web sites with health-related information.
The following acts deal with discrimination on the grounds of marital status or gender, where a woman (or man) is treated less favourably on the grounds of her (or his) sex.
- the Equal Pay Act 1970 (as amended)
- the Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 (as amended),
- the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended) and
- the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (as amended)
- Equality Act 2006
The legislation covers pay and other terms and conditions of employment, employment and vocational training, education, and the provision and sale of goods, facilities and services, and housing.
Main elements of recent sex discrimination law
The main elements of recent sex discrimination legislation are as follows:
- explicit definition of harassment, including sexual harassment
- definition of discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity leave
- a change in the definitions of direct and indirect discrimination.
- enhanced positive action measures.
In addition, the Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 19991 have extended the SDA to make it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of gender reassignment, but only in the areas of employment and vocational training.
The Equality Act 2006 includes a duty on public authorities to promote equality of opportunity between men and women, and to prohibit sex discrimination in the exercise of public functions.
The NHS has been in the forefront of developing ‘Family Friendly2’ policies which, it is claimed, aid recruitment and retention, particularly of women and disabled people, contribute to quality and effectiveness and organisational change, and enable organisations to meet service demands and improve services for patients3.
The following web links provide information on gender and health-related matters.
Key Web Links
Women’s health
The Women's Health site has an illustrated e-book aimed at GPs among others. Written by a London based Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, the e-book has chapters on a range of gynaecological health and treatment options as well as sections on areas of general interest such as AIDS.
Women's Health Organisation website, run by a national voluntary organisation, provides information on gynaecological health issues such as heavy bleeding, fibroids, HRT and ovarian problems.
Men’s health
The Health of Men website site provides clear and concise information about many health issues affecting men, for example, the heart, impotence, but also includes topics such as bullying and fatherhood.
The FMH for Mental Health website is aimed at teenagers and under-25s, it focuses mainly on mental and sexual health.
The Men’s Health Forum is an independent body set up to tackle issues affecting the wellbeing of boys and men in England and Wales. MHF Scotland and MHF Northern Ireland are also accessible from this site.
MD Linx - a North American site aimed at both patients and practitioners. Each section is broken down into segments including diagnosis, treatment, prevention, clinical trials etc.
Parenting
Parentline is a national charity. This site contains top tips on everyday issues for parents.
Transgender
The Gender Trust is a UK charity helping people with gender identity issues, which offers information and support to transsexuals.
Viewing the resource guides
Return to the list of resource guides.
Footnotes
- Note also the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which is applicable across the UK. (return to paragraph containing footnote 1)
- Sometimes referred to as ‘Employee Friendly’ as, it is argued, not everyone is part of a family. (return to paragraph containing footnote 2)
- Family Friendly Policies: guidance (Partnership Information Network, NHS Scotland, n.d.), pp8-9. (return to paragraph containing footnote 3)