Ordinance on the specialized office and the commission for gender equality - Office

1. For the implementation of equality between women and men in accordance with § 8 of the Constitution of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft (Cantonal Constitution) dated May 17, 1984, and Article 8 paragraph 3 of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (Federal Constitution) dated April 18, 1999, an Office for Gender Equality (hereafter: the Office) is established.

2. The Office is subordinate to the Department of Finance and Church Affairs.

1. The agency promotes gender equality between women and men in all areas of life and advocates for the elimination of any form of direct and indirect discrimination and gender-specific violence.

2. It notably has the following responsibilities

a. It reviews cantonal decrees and measures for their compatibility with § 8 of the Cantonal Constitution, with Art. 8 para. 3 of the Federal Constitution, with the Federal Gender Equality Act (Gender Equality Act, GEA) of March 24, 1995, as well as with the Introductory Act to the Gender Equality Act (IGEA) of November 27, 1997.

b. It advises private individuals and authorities on matters of gender equality between women and men.

c. It develops programs and measures to promote gender equality between women and men in collaboration with interested parties.

d. It issues recommendations, prepares and commissions expert reports and studies.

e. It provides information relevant to gender equality.

f. It carries out corresponding public relations work.

3. It cooperates with municipal, cantonal, and federal institutions and organizations that undertake similar tasks.

4. It serves as a contact point for questions and concerns from the public related to gender equality.

5. It develops measures together with the personnel office to promote gender equality between women and men at all levels and stages within the cantonal administration. In matters of employment, the agency may review documents while respecting privacy protection.

6. The agency regularly reports on its activities.

1. The specialist office can communicate directly with all authorities and offices of the canton and request the information necessary for fulfilling its duties.

2. The specialist office is involved from the outset in handling matters concerning the equality of women and men.

3. The specialist office is included in the internal administrative consultation procedure.

1. The specialist unit has a budget.

1. The Government Council is advised on matters of gender equality by a Gender Equality Sounding Board BL (abbreviated as "Sounding Board").

2. The Sounding Board is the commission according to § 20 EG GlG and is considered a governmental commission in the sense of the Ordinance on Governmental Commissions (Commission Ordinance, KoV) dated August 22, 2017.

1. The Sounding Board provides the government council with strategic and substantive advice on gender equality policy.

2. It highlights important developments and the need for action in gender equality policy.

3. The government council and the specialist office seek feedback from the Sounding Board on gender equality policy projects.

1. The Sounding Board consists of 9-14 members.

2. When appointing members, the government council ensures a diverse composition that represents various societal sectors, interest groups, political orientations, and life situations.

3. The head of the specialist office participates in the meetings of the Sounding Board in an advisory capacity.

1. The Head of the Finance and Church Directorate chairs the Sounding Board.

2. The specialist office provides the secretariat for the Sounding Board.

3. The Sounding Board typically meets twice a year.