FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2026

NEW YORK, NY  –  Following today’s vote of the New York City Council, Council Member Amanda Farías was appointed Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity, where she will lead the Council’s legislative and oversight efforts to advance equity, safety, and economic security for women, trans, and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers.

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity and grateful to Speaker Julie Menin for her trust in my leadership. As a woman of color and a lifelong Bronxite, I am proud to advance policies that strengthen protections, expand economic opportunity, and ensure dignity and safety for women, trans, and gender non-conforming New Yorkers across our city—especially at a time when gender equity is under attack nationally,” said Council Member Amanda Farías.

The Committee on Women and Gender Equity plays a critical role in shaping policy related to gender-based violence prevention, economic opportunity, reproductive and bodily autonomy, caregiver support, and equity across city agencies. As Chair, Council Member Farías will oversee legislation, hearings, and budget advocacy to ensure gender equity is embedded in how New York City governs.

Throughout her tenure on the Council, Farías has been a leading voice on gender equity issues. She has helped pass landmark legislation advancing menstrual equity, survivor support, reproductive rights, and universal childcare, and continues to serve on the Commission on Gender Equity. Her leadership has consistently centered the lived experiences of working families, caregivers, and communities of color.

“As Chair, I am committed to building on the Council’s progress and pushing further,” Farías added. “New York City has a responsibility to lead with courage and clarity in this moment, and I intend to ensure this committee delivers meaningful outcomes that improve lives across all five boroughs.”

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