Seema Jalan

Seema Jalan is a prominent figure in global gender equity and women's health advocacy. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of Gender Equality Policy, Advocacy, and Communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a position she has held since November 2022.1 Prior to this role, she was the Executive Director of the Universal Access Project and Policy at the United Nations Foundation for a decade, where she focused on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights.1

Jalan has over 20 years of experience in advocating for gender equity and has been instrumental in various initiatives aimed at improving women's health and human rights globally. Notably, she co-created the Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains and was part of the first U.S. delegation to the 65th Commission on the Status of Women under the Biden Administration.1 Her previous work includes leading Women Thrive Worldwide's global policy portfolio, contributing to significant U.S. government strategies addressing violence against women, and engaging with various organizations such as the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction and Women for Afghan Women.1

Seema Jalan is also recognized for her contributions to media discussions on gender issues, having been quoted in major outlets like CNN, The Washington Post, and Al Jazeera.1 Her extensive background reflects a deep commitment to advancing women's rights on a global scale.