Los Angeles County mulls creating office of gender equity based on UN principles

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Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a proposal Tuesday that would kickstart the process of creating a local Office of Gender Equity, guided by United Nations goals to end discrimination against women.

Brought forward by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the motion being considered this week requires the county’s chief executive officer and director of public health, working alongside County Counsel, to submit a feasibility report to the board within 60 days.

The intended department would operate around the central principles established by the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, commonly referred to as CEDAW.

As part of the request, local officials must recommend where the office should fit within the existing county government framework and highlight current services capable of supporting its mission.

Women march during the International Women’s Day March and Rally on March 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California (Getty Images)

The proposal specifies that the review must contain a “discussion of all existing resources, related programs and services, that could be leveraged to support the new Office” and outline what additional assets are required to scale up operations over time.

It will also evaluate whether local lawmakers should amend the county’s current CEDAW ordinance to support the department and enforce its goals, or enact a brand new ordinance altogether.

In addition, the requested report will outline a timeline and a phased approach for establishing the new department.

Finally, the initiative calls for “a plan to engage with diverse community stakeholders to ensure community input and feedback is incorporated into the development and establishment” of the agency.

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