Online Events to Discuss Implementation of Gender Equality Plans
On May 19–20, Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University, the SPEAR project partners of the Horizon 2020 SwafS programme, are organising online events dedicated to discussions on the process of the designing and implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEP) at Lithuanian institutions of higher education. Participants are requested to register online in advance.
Since 2017, all universities in Lithuania must implement gender equality measures, as required by the new Labour Code legislated in 2017 for every organisation with more than 50 employees. Furthermore, European and Lithuanian universities are advised by various international institutions to actively engage in gender equality work. Starting from 2022, all universities participating in Horizon programme will be required to have Gender Equality Plan as their institutional measure.
The events will focus on the discussions how to integrate Gender Equality Plans into universities’ institutional policies, how to establish connections to external stakeholders, how to ensure the institutionalisation of equal opportunities and gender equality policy, and how to make it sustainable.
On Wednesday 19 May, 1 p.m. (EET), an online discussion titled Gender Equality Plans at Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University: Design and the First Steps of Implementation will be held. The event participants include Prof. Jeremy Sanders from University of Cambridge (UK), VMU Vice-Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilma Bijeikienė, Prof. Dr. Natalija Mažeikienė, VU Vice-Rector Dr. Rita Rekašiūtė Balsienė, Asssoc. Prof. Dr. Aurelija Novelskaitė, Dr. Rūta Ruolytė-Verschoore.
On Thursday 20 May, 10 a.m. (EET), an online discussion, Implementation of Gender Equality Policy at Universities: How to Turn Gender Equality Plan into an Effective Institutional Measure?, will be held. The participants of the discussion are social partners and stakeholders: representatives of Lithuanian and foreign universities, experts from organisations of equal opportunities as well as institutions responsible for administration and monitoring of research and studies. The discussion will revolve around the following questions:
- How can Gender Equality Plans, as a measure for change inspired and supported by external social stakeholders and other concerned bodies, be successfully implemented at universities and other higher education institutions?
- What kind of support is needed in terms of external political, administrative, and financial provision as well as internal measures and structures of institutional commitment?
Registration (invitation to online event will be sent by e-mail)
All events will be held in English.
