Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath introduced a motion to study whether the county should create an Office of Gender Equity, a new office that would coordinate gender equity efforts across county departments.
The proposed office would build on the county's work implementing the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, known as CEDAW, and its Gender Impact Assessment Program, which the county describes as nationally and internationally recognized. The office would provide centralized leadership and subject-matter expertise.
"Los Angeles County has a responsibility to lead on gender equity — and to make it real in the policies, programs, and services we deliver," Horvath said. "We have built a strong foundation for this work, but we need sustained leadership to carry it forward and embed gender equity across County government. That means building systems that work for everyone, including women, girls, transgender, gender-expansive, and gender-nonconforming people."
Horvath said the county has an opportunity "to ensure that gender equity is not just a goal, but a standard for how we govern," pointing to a moment when she said fundamental rights, health care and safety are under attack.
The proposal follows the 2024 sunset of the county's Women and Girls Initiative. The proposed office would help coordinate existing county programs and resources, support departments in identifying and addressing gender disparities, and keep gender equity a sustained priority across county government.
The motion was accepted with an amendment directing the chief executive officer, the Department of Public Health and county counsel to report back on the feasibility of establishing the office, including its potential structure, responsibilities, staffing, funding, and opportunities to build on existing county programs and resources.
Edited by SMDP Staff