Handmaid's tale 1st post

So far the story is interesting. Offred became a handmaid by creating a stillborn baby through pregnancy. I don't quite understand how this brings her from being a prisoner to a higher level. The angels are not able to look at the prisoners because they are all men. If the men are not able to look at the women then how are handmaid positions created? is the commander the only one able to create that position?