Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Jackie Speier (CA-14), Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Deb Haaland (NM-01), welcomed two important executive orders signed by President Biden on International Women’s Day. The first executive order established the White House Gender Policy Council to ensure that gender equity and equality are integral to policymaking across the Federal government. The second executive order directs the Department of Education to review all Department regulations, orders, guidance, and policies to ensure students are guaranteed an education that is free from sexual violence.

“Equality means being free to pursue opportunities without prejudice or discrimination, including based on one’s gender or gender identity,” the Members said. “We welcome the President’s Executive Orders signed today establishing the Gender Policy Council and affirming students’ civil rights to an education free from violence, bringing us one step closer to ensuring gender equity and equality are a reality for all women in this country.

“The government-wide focus of the Gender Policy Council will be instrumental to advancing women’s economic opportunity, access to health care and reproductive rights, and equitable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Students must be able to pursue an education free from sexual violence and the trauma it creates for survivors. We are pleased that the President has signed these two Executive Orders on International Women’s Day, sending a clear signal to the country and the world that women’s full participation in public life benefits us all. We urge his Administration and the Department of Education to continue to act with the utmost haste to ensure our schools are a safe space for learning and growth and efforts to promote gender equity are incorporated across all decision-making.”