Established in 2010 the Gender & Diversity Controlling unit at Goethe University Frankfurt is more than just a department. It’s a vibrant hub for change. It’s a place where the pursuit of gender equality isn’t just a goal but a daily commitment. The university recognized a disparity in commitment to gender equality across its 16 faculties. This led to the creation of this essential unit.
The Gender & Diversity Controlling unit plays a vital role in monitoring gender inequalities. It offers guidance and support to the faculties. The unit strives to ensure gender equality efforts are effective across the entire university. A key function is the compilation of gender and diversity statistics. This provides a clear picture of the university’s progress. These statistics are crucial for informed decision-making. They highlight areas needing attention.
Every two years each faculty develops a Gender Equality & Diversity Action Plan. This is a mandatory requirement. These action plans are linked to target agreements. These agreements are made between university management and faculty management. The Gender & Diversity Controlling coordinator steers this entire process. It’s a collaborative effort. It involves detailed analysis needs assessment planning implementation and thorough evaluations.
The unit uses a four-step cycle. First they analyze the status quo and assess needs. Then they plan gender equality measures. Next they implement these measures. Finally they assess successes and shortcomings. They then issue recommendations based on their findings. This ensures continuous improvement. It also enhances the effectiveness of their approach.
The Gender & Diversity Controlling unit doesn’t just monitor. It actively supports the faculties. They provide tools guidelines and sex-disaggregated statistics. They also hold regular meetings. These meetings provide crucial feedback and advice. These meetings help faculties prioritize interventions. Resources are often limited so prioritization is key. The team includes experts from Gender Consulting and Family Service. This creates a well-rounded and effective approach.
Initially there was resistance to this level of monitoring. Some researchers felt it limited their freedom. Others found the administrative burden excessive. However over time the approach has gained acceptance. This is partly due to improved communication. The objectives are now better aligned with university and faculty goals.
The Gender & Diversity Controlling unit uses several tools to support its work. These tools include guidelines reporting templates and a toolkit of exemplary measures. These tools are regularly updated and refined. They’ve become well-accepted by the faculties. The unit also provides sex-disaggregated statistics. This facilitates effective monitoring and progress tracking.
The unit’s work has yielded significant results. Gender equality and diversity action plans are more developed than in previous reporting periods. The implementation of measures is also more successful. Stakeholder involvement has significantly increased. The coordination of this process ensures an overview of developments across all faculties. It encourages the sharing of best practices. This model is a success story. It demonstrates the power of centralized monitoring and decentralized action. The Goethe University Frankfurt’s Gender & Diversity Controlling unit serves as a model for other universities. It proves that a commitment to gender equality is both achievable and beneficial.