Minister for Women and Equality
Incumbent: Harriet Harman MP Took office: 28 June 2007
Style:	The Right Honourable
Appointed by:	Gordon Brown as Prime Minister
First:	Harriet Harman MP (as Minister for Women)
Formation:	1997-1998

United Kingdom

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the United Kingdom

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The Minister for Women was a ministerial position in the United Kingdom.

Following Gordon Brown expanding the portfolio the position was retitled Minister for Women and Equality. It was expected that this role would be given the title Secretary of State for Equalities, however the legal responsibilities were given to Harriet Harman in her existing position as Lord Privy Seal. On 12 October 2007^[1] a new department, the Government Equalities Office was created, which supported the position.

The position has responsibility for addressing all forms of discrimination, but with particular emphasis on gender inequality. The under-representation of Women in Parliament means that 'Minister for Women' has been retained as part of the title to ensure their views are considered in government.^[2].

There is currently no corresponding position of Minister for Men, although a request has been made in the House of Lords for a minister to work on areas specific to men.^[3] Solicitor General for England and Wales Vera Baird works in Government Equalities Office working primarily on the governments flagship "Equalities" bill.

[edit] List of Ministers for Women

	Junior Minister	Cabinet Minister
1997-98	Joan Ruddock	Harriet Harman
1998-01	Tessa Jowell	Baroness Jay
2001	Baroness Morgan of Huyton	Patricia Hewitt
2001-03	Barbara Roche	Patricia Hewitt
2003-05	Jacqui Smith	Patricia Hewitt
2005-06	Meg Munn	Tessa Jowell
2006-07	Meg Munn	Ruth Kelly

[edit] List of Ministers for Women and Equality

	Parliamentary Secretary	Minister of State	Cabinet Minister
2007-08	vacant	Barbara Follett	Harriet Harman
2008-	Michael Foster	Maria Eagle	Harriet Harman

[edit] References

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