The Athena SWAN Charter acknowledges efforts towards advancing women's careers within STEM employment in higher education. 

Athena SWAN is relevant to everyone, not just women in science. Implementing a successful Athena SWAN application requires buy-in from everyone in the School at every stage of the career structure, irrespective of gender or background, for the following reasons:

• To address gender inequalities requires commitment and action from everyone, at all levels of the organisation.
• To tackle the unequal representation of women in science requires changing cultures and attitudes across the organisation.
• The absence of diversity at management and policy-making levels has broad implications.

Although Athena SWAN explicitly addresses the problems facing women, all actions put in place to improve equality and working environment will benefit everyone, especially men who take a role in family life. The key is to change the social norms so that everyone can enjoy equal opportunities and a fulfilling, fair working environment.