His Excellency the Governor Duncan Taylor has formally assented to the Gender Equality Bill.

The groundbreaking legislation seeks to ensure equal opportunity and reward for equal effort in the workplace, as well as freedom from sexual harassment. It will become formally enshrined in local law when it is published in the Cayman Islands Gazette on Monday October 24, 2011.

Solicitor General for England and Ireland Edward Garnier, Community Affairs, Gender and Housing Minister Mike Adam, Chief Officer Dorine Whittaker and Senior Policy Advisor Tammy Ebanks attended the brief signing. (Mr Garnier is in the Cayman Islands to attend the annual conference of attorneys general of the British Overseas Territories, and meet with local human rights officials.)

Governor Taylor welcomed the enactment of the Law and thanked those who had helped make it a reality. He said, “This is an important piece of legislation. Equality of opportunity, treatment and reward is a fundamental human right for all and I am delighted that is now enshrined in our law.” The Governor’s Office has agreed to match the Cayman Islands Government contribution to the public education campaign which the ministry will launch in early November.

Meanwhile Minister Adam paid tribute to the hard work by his staff and those from the Attorney General’s Chambers, whom he said were integral to the successful passage of the legislation through the Legislative Assembly on 14 September 2011, and would play a key part in the implementation phase.

The Gender Equality Law will take effect on 31 January 2012. Details of the upcoming public education campaign will be made available to the public over the next few weeks.