On March 8, 2021, President Biden issued two Executive Orders to coincide with International Women's Day.
In a statement, President Biden said: “In our nation, as in all nations, women have fought for justice, shattered barriers, built and sustained economies, carried communities through times of crisis, and served with dignity and resolve. Too often, they have done so while being denied the freedom, full participation, and equal opportunity all women are due.”
The March 8, 2021 Executive Orders seek to advance gender equality in both the workplace, and in educational programs and services, and will build on policies established under the Obama Administration.
The first Executive Order establishes a Gender Policy Council within the executive office that will advance gender equality in domestic and foreign policy development, combat systemic bias and discrimination, and focus on increasing female participation in the labor force and decreasing wage and wealth gaps.
The second Executive Order directs the Department of Education to review former Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos' Title IX regulations to ensure that all Title IX regulations are consistent with the Biden Administration's promise that all students are guaranteed education free from sexual violence. This Executive Order represents the first step in addressing, and potentially walking back some of the Title IX policies developed under the Trump Administration.
