Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
Advisory Committee on Women Veterans Charter
1. Advisory Committee’s Official Designation.
Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (Committee).
2. Authority.
The Committee is authorized by statute, 38 U.S.C. § 542, and operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 10.
3. Objectives and Scope of Activities.
The Committee provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) regarding the administration of benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for women Veterans; reports and studies pertaining to women Veterans; and the needs of women Veterans related to health care, rehabilitation benefits, compensation, outreach, and other VA benefits and programs.
4. Description of Duties.
The Committee provides a report to the Secretary not later than July 1st of each year, which includes:
- an assessment of the needs of women Veterans to include compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by the Department;
- a review of VA programs and activities designed to meet such needs;
- an assessment of the effects of intimate partner violence on women Veterans; and
- such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate.
5. Agency or Federal Officer Receiving the Advisory Committee’s Advice/ Recommendations.
The Committee reports to the Secretary through the Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans (CWV).
6. Support.
CWV provides administrative and logistical support for all Committee activities.
7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years.
The estimated annual operating costs for the Committee are estimated at $360,000 per year. This operating cost includes approximately 1.5 full-time equivalent staff members, who will support the Committee. All members will receive travel expenses and a per diem allowance, in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation, for any travel made in connection with their duties as members of the Committee.
8. Designated Federal Officer.
The Secretary will designate a full-time VA employee to be the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) for the Committee and its subcommittees. The DFO will ensure the Committee activities comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), FACA Final Rule, VA administrative procedures, and other applicable laws and regulations; approve the schedule and agenda of all Committee and subcommittee meetings; attend all Committee and subcommittee meetings for their duration; fulfill the requirements under section 10(b) of FACA (codified at 5 U.S.C. § 1009(b)); adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines it to be in the public interest; chair any meeting when directed by the Secretary; maintain information on Committee activities and provide such information to the public, as applicable; and ensure Committee and subcommittee members receive appropriate training for efficient operation and compliance with FACA and the FACA Final Rule. The DFO will also ensure a public- facing website is maintained for the Committee in accordance with 41 C.F.R. § 102- 3.120(b).
9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings.
The Committee is expected to meet at least two times annually and may have additional meetings if necessary.
10. Duration.
There is a continuing need for the Committee to assist the Secretary in carrying out the responsibilities described in 38 U.S.C. § 542. The duration of the Committee is continuing, subject to the Termination section below.
11. Termination.
Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the charter will expire 2 years from the date it is filed. Authorized by law for an indefinite period, the Committee has no termination date.
12. Membership and Designation.
The Committee will be comprised of approximately 16 members (total includes 4 ex-officio members). Several members may be regular Government employees, but the majority of the Committee's membership will be Special Government Employees.
As required by statute, the Committee consists of members appointed by the Secretary from the general public, including representatives of women Veterans; individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the needs of women Veterans, including the gender-specific health care needs of women; representatives of both female and male Veterans with service-connected disabilities, including at least one woman Veteran with a service-connected disability and at least one male Veteran with a service-connected disability; and women Veterans who are recently separated from service in the Armed Forces. Ex-officio members include a designee of the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary for Health, and the Under Secretary for Benefits.
13. Subcommittees.
The Committee is authorized to create subcommittees, with DFO approval, to perform specific projects or assignments as necessary and consistent with its mission. The Committee Chair shall notify the Secretary, through the DFO, of the creation of any subcommittee, including its function, membership, and estimated duration. Subcommittees will report back to the Committee. Such subcommittees may not work independently and must report their recommendations and advice to the parent Committee for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the parent Committee, nor can they provide advice or work products directly to VA or any other Federal officer.
14. Recordkeeping.
Records of the Committee and subcommittees shall be handled in accordance with the General Records Schedule 6.2 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. Those records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552.
15. Filing Date.
Approved.
/s/
Douglas A. Collins
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Date: October 6, 2025
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