Gender Equality Action Plan

University of Galway’s Gender Equality Action Plans (GEAP) are governed and informed by the following:

• Our University’s 2017-21, 2021-25 and 2025-30 Athena Swan action plans.
• Final Report of the Gender Equality Task Force (May 2016).
• The First HEA National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions (2016).
• Gender Equality Taskforce Action Plan 2018-2020.
• The 2^nd HEA National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions (2022).
• Public Sector Duty.

The Gender Equality Programme of work is also shaped by policies and directives at European level. This includes the European Commission’s Pay Transparency Directive which requires EU organisations to share their gender pay gap data publicly, Horizon Europe gender equality plan eligibility (GEP) criterion whereby HEIs must have a GEP to be eligible to apply for funding, and the EU's Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025 (GAP III)

The University of Galway GEAP is based on external best practice and recommendations as outlined by the HEA and Department of Education and Skills. It identifies sets of actions, lead responsibilities, and time lines for the implementation of actions across various themes, including work-life balance and organisational culture, gender balance in leadership and decision-making, gender equality in recruitment and career progression, providing EDI training and awareness raising, data collection and monitoring, integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content and measures against gender-based violence including sexual harassment.

The Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead and oversee the implementation of the GEAP. Updates on actions implementation and their impact are provided to the University’s Institutional Athena Swan Steering Group and EDI and HR Campus Committee (EDIHRCC) quarterly to ensure progress and oversight.