Janet Veitch Co-Chair, Women’s Budget Group

The state and women’s equality New architecture:  Women and Equality Unit becomes the Government Equalities Office  Equal Opportunities Commission becomes the Equality and Human Rights Commission  Women’s National Commission reviewed but retained

New Opportunities, Meeting Points Government Equalities Office: -- an independent government department; a focal point for equalities within government. -- leads on equalities in the UK, for the UK within the EU, and for the UK at the UN -- leads UK delegation at annual Commission on the Status of Women -- produces UK report and leads UK delegation at quadrennial CEDAW examination

Equality and Human Rights Commission Independent, statutory oversight of equalities law Three-yearly ‘State of the Nation’ report, measuring progress on equalities Researching/commissioning research on equalities and human rights

Women’s National Commission Voice of women to government: around 500 organisations in membership Hosts standing committees between government and women’s organisations, and academics, on key issues for women’s equality Produces UK shadow report to CEDAW; gives evidence to CEDAW Committee Board of Commissioners include academic experts

Academics Influencing the State Women’s Budget Group Many academic members Regular meetings with HM Treasury Submits evidence to select committees Exemplar project: Gender Expenditure Analysis Project, used academic expertise Build state capacity to undertake gender responsive budgeting, teaching gender analysis Supports evidence-based policy making

Problems, Questions, Benefits Who owns the research Research typically requires a longer timeframe than government, which needs answers today Is a feminist agenda compatible with that of the state? Tensions between the academic and the political Research can inform public policy and drive progress on women’s equality

Women’s equality: how can the Academy and the State best work together? Via NGOs, where research can inform lobbying In partnership with the Equality and Human Rights Commission Via public appointments, e.g. the WNC The creation of regular spaces for discussion, e.g. through the UNESCO Chair