On International Women’s Day, Planned Parenthood Federation of America Applauds Biden-Harris Actions to Advance Gender Equity

President Biden signed executive orders to create White House Gender Policy Council and protect and advance health and rights in the U.S. and around the world

WASHINGTON, DC — On International Women’s Day, we celebrate all women — cisgender women, transgender women, femmes, womxn. We must also use this day to recognize the work ahead to finally ensure that people’s health, rights, and ambitions are valued and protected equally, regardless of their gender. With this mission in mind, the Biden-Harris administration announced  critical steps today to advance gender equity by issuing executive orders to establish a White House Gender Policy Council and work to ensure that everyone has the right to pursue an education free from sexual violence.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Today, we celebrate every woman. We celebrate those who have marched, demanded change from their elected officials, told their stories, organized in their communities, and kept us safe during this pandemic. And we celebrate as President Biden and Vice President Harris — leaders so many women fought to put in office — take critical steps to move us towards a future with true gender equity, in the U.S and around the world. Planned Parenthood Federation of America will continue to work with the administration and allies to empower all people to take full control of their bodies, their rights, and their futures.”

The White House announced that President Biden signed two executive orders. The first establishes a White House Gender Policy Council to ensure that the Biden-Harris administration advances gender equity and equal rights and opportunity for women and girls, both in the U.S. and around the world. This will include a focus on ensuring access to the full suite of health care — including sexual and reproductive health and rights — advancing economic security, combatting discrimination, and more. It will also incorporate a critical effort to protect the rights and unique needs of people — such as LGBTQ+ people of color — who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. The second executive order directs the Department of Education to review all of its existing regulations, orders, guidance, and policies for alignment with the administration’s policy to guarantee education free from sexual violence. This will include examining the Trump administration's attack on Title IX, which made it harder for survivors of sexual assault to seek justice. 

These are important steps, but there is much more work to be done. Along with a coalition of more than 100 bold, progressive organizations, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda developed “First Priorities for the Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice,” a detailed list of executive and agency actions on global and domestic issues that Planned Parenthood expects the Biden-Harris administration to continue to swiftly address. 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.