White House’s New Gender Policy Council to Advance Equality and Equity in Domestic and Foreign Policy

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released two Executive Orders making clear its intention to advance gender equality and equity as a matter of human rights, justice and fairness in the United States and around the world.

The first of these new orders—announced on International Women’s Day—establishes a new Gender Policy Council within the Executive Office of the President with a key role in advancing domestic and foreign policy development. This council’s unique focus will center the lived experiences and needs of people who have historically faced systemic barriers and will guide its policy recommendations.

The second order takes the first steps towards ensuring gender equity and equality are realized for students across the country, advancing the right to education free from discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We’re heartened by the robust commitment that the Biden-Harris Administration is making to drive gender equality and equity at the highest levels of government through its Gender Policy Council. We look forward to working with Jennifer Klein and Julissa Reynoso, its co-chairs, to further the administration’s goals of narrowing systematic gender and racial gaps in healthcare, in the workplace, in society and schools, both in the U.S. and around the world,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Find out more:

• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Julissa Reynoso, and Jennifer Klein, 03/08/21
• Biden Establishes A Gender Policy Council Within The White House, NPR, 03/08/21
• White House Fact Sheet: President Biden to Sign Executive Orders Establishing the White House Gender Policy Council and Ensuring Education Free from Sexual Violence, 03/08/21