Lib Dems Rejoice at Signing of EU Charter on Equalities

11.19.52am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 20th Sep 2008

Oxfordshire County Council became the first County Council in the UK to sign the EU Charter for Equality between men and women in local life after Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Zoé Patrick urged this with a motion in June. Liberal Democrats in Opposition at the County Council were aware of the importance of being seen to sign up to this important Charter as much work was going on behind the scenes.

The Europe wide Charter sets out principles dealing with multiple discrimination, balanced representation and participation, stereotypes and obstacles, and has already been signed by more than 700 European local authorities - but very few in the UK.

Zoé Patrick said, "There is a need to encourage more women to get involved in local democracy and to give greater consideration to flexible working practices in order to encourage more women into the workplace. I am pleased that Oxfordshire has already fulfilled most of the articles of the Charter and delighted that the Council was happy to sign it. This will raise the Council's profile and reputation across Europe."