Paderborn University regards the realisation of gender equality as an important strategic goal. Equality is anchored as a cross-sectional task at all levels of Paderborn University. In order to work towards the actual realisation of equal rights for women and men in all status and employee groups and to reduce structural disadvantages, the following bodies have been institutionalised: The Equal Opportunities Commission advises and supports the university and the Equal Opportunities Officer in their gender equality policy tasks.

A steering group was formed in 2009 for the implementation of gender mainstreaming and the realisation of the gender equality concept. The steering group includes the university management, all faculties and the administration as well as equal opportunities stakeholders.

Participation in supra-regional committees is of great importance for the implementation of equal opportunities at the universities, for example in the State Conference of Equal Opportunities Officers of the Universities and University Clinics of North Rhine-Westphalia (LaKof) and the Federal Conference of Women's and Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities (BuKoF).