Los Angeles County Considers Establishing an Office of Gender Equity

Los Angeles County Pursues Gender Equity

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently approved a motion to explore the establishment of an Office of Gender Equity. This initiative, brought forward by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, aims to address gender-based discrimination and promote gender equity within county government. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote; Supervisor Kathryn Barger did not attend the meeting.

“For too long, our gender equity work has been siloed without a central entity responsible for coordinating and advancing this work,” Horvath explained during the session. “An Office of Gender Equity would help change that.”

A report is expected within 60 days. It will be prepared by the county’s Chief Executive Office, Department of Public Health, and County Counsel. This document will suggest a potential location for the gender equity office and provide details on existing resources that could support its functions. Additionally, it will propose a timeline for the office’s establishment.

Ensuring Coordination and Avoiding Redundancy

Supervisor Holly Mitchell suggested an amendment to ensure that the new office’s functions do not overlap with existing county efforts. This amendment was incorporated before the board’s final vote. Mitchell stated, “I’m just asking that we pause, understand what’s happening, identify the gaps that would help clarify for us what work needs to be done to determine if an office should be established and where the resources would be coming from.”

Legacy of the Women and Girls Initiative

This motion follows the 2024 conclusion of the county’s Women and Girls Initiative. Launched in 2016, the initiative focused on analyzing and responding to systemic issues causing gender inequity. Horvath stated, “We need a permanent County entity to lead and coordinate this work—especially at a time when women and gender-nonconforming people are facing attacks on their rights, health care, and safety.”

Horvath emphasized the importance of embedding gender equity within government operations, moving beyond temporary initiatives.