MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Establishing a Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities

In simple terms

This memorandum establishes a White House Working Group co-chaired by the Advisor on Violence Against Women and the Director of National AIDS Policy to coordinate federal efforts addressing the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities. The group must convene within 60 days and includes representatives from eight agencies plus advisory roles for State, USAID, and PEPFAR.

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 77 FR 20277

  3. First Working Group meeting convened by Co-Chairs

Key directives

  • Establish Working Group in Executive Office of the President co-chaired by White House Advisor on Violence Against Women and Director of Office of National AIDS Policy
  • Convene first Working Group meeting within 60 days of March 30, 2012
  • Coordinate agency efforts including data collection, research, intervention strategies, and training
  • Integrate sexual/reproductive health services with gender-based violence services and HIV/AIDS services where research supports improved outcomes
  • Annually provide President recommendations for updating National HIV/AIDS Strategy
  • Provide biennial inputs for National HIV/AIDS Strategy Implementation Plan review
  • Conduct outreach with private/nonprofit organizations, state/tribal/local governments, and elected officials
  • Disaggregate research and data by sex, gender, and gender identity where practicable

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • Working Group establishment
  • Co-Chairs designated

Near term (90d)

  • First Working Group meeting (within 60 days)
  • Initial outreach to private/nonprofit organizations and state/tribal/local governments

Long term

  • Annual recommendations to President for updating National HIV/AIDS Strategy
  • Biennial review inputs for National HIV/AIDS Strategy Implementation Plan
  • Ongoing coordination of agency efforts on integrated services and research

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation
  • Non-binding nature (no enforceable rights created per Section 4d)
  • Integration of services contingent on research demonstrating improved outcomes, creating potential delay
  • Coordination across eight agencies plus advisory entities may produce bureaucratic friction
  • Vague 'as appropriate' and 'where practicable' qualifiers create implementation uncertainty
Presidential Memorandum: Establishing a Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities · Executive Orders