The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued new guidance defining “woman” as “an adult human female.” This action aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The guidance emphasizes that sex is an immutable biological classification determined at conception and observable before birth. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated, “This administration is bringing back common sense and restoring biological truth to the federal government.”
In addition to defining “woman,” the guidance provides definitions for other gender-related terms:
- Sex: An individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female.
- Female: A person characterized by a reproductive system with the biological function of producing eggs (ova).
- Male: A person characterized by a reproductive system with the biological function of producing sperm.
- Girl: A minor human female.
- Man: An adult human male.
- Boy: A minor human male.
- Mother: A female parent.
- Father: A male parent.
This policy shift has sparked significant debate, as transgender rights remain a highly contentious issue in U.S. politics.
