The obligation to promote gender equality applies to all public sector institutions – ministries, the Government Office, county governments, state agencies and inspectorates, and institutions that have the authority of local executive power, as well as local governments and their authorities and other city or rural municipal authorities that exercise public authority and the authorities administered by them.
In addition to the Gender Equality Act, which stipulates the obligation to implement the gender mainstreaming strategy, some institutions, depending on their field of activity, are also obliged to implement the gender mainstreaming strategy in accordance with the directly applicable regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council. For example, the common provisions applicable to the funds under the Common Strategic Framework financed by the European Union Structural Funds include a commitment to promote equality between men and women and the integration of gender issues.
Pursuant to subsections 9 (1) and (2) of the Gender Equality Act, state and local government authorities are required to systematically and purposefully promote gender equality. Their duty is to change the conditions and circumstances that hinder achievement of gender equality.
Upon planning, implementation and assessment of national, regional and institutional strategies, policies and action plans, state and local government authorities must take into account the different needs and social statuses of men and women and consider how the measures applied and to be applied will affect the situations of men and women in society.
The objective of the combined effect of subsections 9 (1) and (2) of the Gender Equality Act is to ensure the implementation of the gender mainstreaming strategy. Subsection 9 (21) stipulates that upon implementing the gender mainstreaming strategy, the state and local government authorities must, if necessary, consult the relevant interest groups and non-profit organisations that have a legitimate interest in helping to combat discrimination based on sex.
If you feel that you’ve been treated unequally, please contact the Equality Commissioner by e-mail at avaldus@volinik.ee or telephone +372 626 9059. The anonymity of the person is guaranteed when contacting the Commissioner.
