Seema Jalan
About Seema Jalan
Seema Jalan serves as the Executive Director of the Universal Access Project and Policy at the United Nations Foundation, where she has worked since 2012. She has a background in international affairs and mathematics, and has held various leadership roles in organizations focused on global development and women's rights.
Work at United Nations Foundation
Seema Jalan has served as the Executive Director of the Universal Access Project and Policy at the United Nations Foundation since 2012. In this role, she focuses on advancing global access to sexual and reproductive health services. Her leadership contributes to the organization's mission of promoting universal access to health and well-being. Based in the Washington D.C. Metro Area, she has been instrumental in shaping policies that align with the Foundation's goals.
Education and Expertise
Seema Jalan holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she studied from 2003 to 2005. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from New York University, completing her degree between 1997 and 2001. Her educational background supports her expertise in global development and policy, particularly in the areas of reproductive health and rights.
Background
Before her current position, Seema Jalan worked as the Director of Global Development Policy at Women Thrive Worldwide from 2005 to 2012. She also served as a consultant at the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction for six months in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2004. Additionally, she acts as a Leadership Liaison to Rachel’s Network, a nonprofit funders’ group focused on women's issues.
Achievements
Seema Jalan played a key role in the adoption of the first-ever U.S. government strategy to address violence against girls and women globally, which was announced by President Obama in 2012. She participated as a public member of the first U.S. delegation of the Biden Administration to the 65th Commission on the Status of Women. Her contributions to the field are recognized through her commentary on sexual and reproductive health and rights in various media outlets.
Media Presence
Seema Jalan provides insights on sexual and reproductive health and rights through her Medium series and as a contributor to notable publications such as The Huffington Post, CNN, Forbes, and The Hill. She is frequently quoted in major media outlets, including Slate, Foreign Policy, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, CNN, NBC, and Vice, highlighting her influence and expertise in the field.