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Office of Global Women's Issues

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1/29 U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell greets Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the Swedish Foreign Minister co-hosted the Ministerial on Gender Based Violence in Humanitarian Emergencies, on the sidelines of the 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, New York, on October 1, 2015.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell greets Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the Swedish Foreign Minister co-hosted the Ministerial on Gender Based Violence in Humanitarian Emergencies, on the sidelines of the 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, New York, on October 1, 2015.
State Dept Image / Oct 01, 2015
2/29 U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell delivers remarks at the Opening Session of Women and Youth Day at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 24, 2015.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell delivers remarks at the Opening Session of Women and Youth Day at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 24, 2015.
U.S. Embassy Nairobi / Jul 24, 2015
3/29 U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell is greeted by faculty and students at the Alliance Girls' High School in Kenya, July 23, 2015.
U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell is greeted by faculty and students at the Alliance Girls' High School in Kenya, July 23, 2015.
State Dept Image / Jul 23, 2015
4/29 Dr. Jill Biden visits a book boat that brings hundreds of books to children in more than 75 remote riverside villages on the Mekong River and is supported by the U.S. Embassy, in Luang Prabang, Laos. Also pictured are EAP Principal Dep. Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel, USAID Sr. Advisor for International Education Christie Vilsack, Chief of Staff to Dr. Biden Sheila Nix, and Amb. Russell.
Dr. Jill Biden visits a book boat that brings hundreds of books to children in more than 75 remote riverside villages on the Mekong River and is supported by the U.S. Embassy, in Luang Prabang, Laos. Also pictured are EAP Principal Dep. Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel, USAID Sr. Advisor for International Education Christie Vilsack, Chief of Staff to Dr. Biden Sheila Nix, and Amb. Russell.
White House Image / Jul 22, 2015
5/29 U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell holds a Civil Society and Women's leadership roundtable, at the American Center, a library and study room run by the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, July 21, 2015. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell holds a Civil Society and Women's leadership roundtable, at the American Center, a library and study room run by the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, July 21, 2015. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
White House Image / Jul 21, 2015
6/29 U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell talks with Ambassador Nga, from the Vietnam Foreign Ministry, during a tea hosted by Madam Mai Thi Hanh, First Lady of Vietnam, at the Temple of Literature, in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 20, 2015. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell talks with Ambassador Nga, from the Vietnam Foreign Ministry, during a tea hosted by Madam Mai Thi Hanh, First Lady of Vietnam, at the Temple of Literature, in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 20, 2015. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
White House Image / Jul 20, 2015
7/29 U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell meets with Dr. Lee Ae-Ran in Korea July 17, 2015. Dr. Lee is a recipient of the 2010 Secretary's International Women of Courage Award.
U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell meets with Dr. Lee Ae-Ran in Korea July 17, 2015. Dr. Lee is a recipient of the 2010 Secretary's International Women of Courage Award.
State Dept Image / Jul 17, 2015
8/29 Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell pose for a photo with the 2015 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Awardees at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell pose for a photo with the 2015 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Awardees at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
State Dept Image / Mar 06, 2015
9/29 Ambassador Cathy Russell takes part in a social media campaign for the twelfth annual International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM/C.
Ambassador Cathy Russell takes part in a social media campaign for the twelfth annual International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM/C.
State Dept Image / Feb 06, 2015
10/29 Ambassador Cathy Russell joins Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Sweden Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, and Ambassador Donald Steinberg for a panel on Global Security and Gender at the United States Institute of Peace.
Ambassador Cathy Russell joins Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Sweden Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, and Ambassador Donald Steinberg for a panel on Global Security and Gender at the United States Institute of Peace.
U.S. Institute of Peace / Jan 28, 2015
11/29 Secretary of State John Kerry sits with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell and a group of Indian women to talk about economic and social empowerment during a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram. The Sabarmati Ashram is where Mahatma Gandhi lived and launched his famed Salt March.
Secretary of State John Kerry sits with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Cathy Russell and a group of Indian women to talk about economic and social empowerment during a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram. The Sabarmati Ashram is where Mahatma Gandhi lived and launched his famed Salt March.
State Dept Image / Jan 11, 2015 / Ahmedabad, India
12/29 Ambassador of Sweden to the United States Björn Lyrvall, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli, and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell are joined by Secretary Kerry's dog Ben during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the U.S. Department of State's fifth Annual 6k Walk for Water.
Ambassador of Sweden to the United States Björn Lyrvall, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli, and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell are joined by Secretary Kerry's dog Ben during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the U.S. Department of State's fifth Annual 6k Walk for Water.
State Dept Image / Apr 23, 2015
13/29 Ambassador Cathy Russell poses with girls honored at Glamour's Women of the Year ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Ambassador Cathy Russell poses with girls honored at Glamour's Women of the Year ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York.
State Dept Image/Astrid Stawiarz / Nov 10, 2014
14/29 Dr. Jill Biden speaks to survivors of gender-based violence, in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 5, 2014. Also pictured are (from Dr. Biden's right) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Physician and Medical Director at Panzi Hospital; Cathy Russell, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues; granddaughter Finnegan Biden, and Susan Markham from USAID.
Dr. Jill Biden speaks to survivors of gender-based violence, in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 5, 2014. Also pictured are (from Dr. Biden's right) Dr. Denis Mukwege, Physician and Medical Director at Panzi Hospital; Cathy Russell, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues; granddaughter Finnegan Biden, and Susan Markham from USAID.
Official White House Photo by David Lienemann / Jul 05, 2014 / Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
15/29 Cathy Russell, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues talks with students at the Shalom Community School. Ambassador Russell is traveling with Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and USAID Administrator Raj Shah on a three country trip to Africa.
Cathy Russell, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues talks with students at the Shalom Community School. Ambassador Russell is traveling with Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and USAID Administrator Raj Shah on a three country trip to Africa.
Official White House Photo by David Lienemann / Jul 02, 2014 / Lusaka, Zambia
16/29 Secretary of State John Kerry chats with seven women mountain climbers from Nepal at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. You can learn more about the Seven Summits Women from Nepal and their work to promote women's empowerment, education, and environmental awareness here: go.usa.gov/5rsd.
Secretary of State John Kerry chats with seven women mountain climbers from Nepal at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. You can learn more about the Seven Summits Women from Nepal and their work to promote women's empowerment, education, and environmental awareness here: go.usa.gov/5rsd.
State Dept Image / Jul 17, 2014
17/29 Secretary of State John Kerry addresses reporters during news conference with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and actress and UN Envoy Angelina Jolie at the conclusion of the 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London.
Secretary of State John Kerry addresses reporters during news conference with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and actress and UN Envoy Angelina Jolie at the conclusion of the 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London.
State Dept Image / Jun 13, 2014 / United Kingdom
18/29 Secretary of State meets with women from the WEAmericas Entrepreneur Group at the U.S. Department of State.
Secretary of State meets with women from the WEAmericas Entrepreneur Group at the U.S. Department of State.
State Dept Image / May 09, 2014
19/29 Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell speaks with women Afghan journalists who are visiting Washington, DC, on an International Visitors Leadership Program titled, 'Women Journalist and Media Advocacy,' at the U.S. Department of State.
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell speaks with women Afghan journalists who are visiting Washington, DC, on an International Visitors Leadership Program titled, 'Women Journalist and Media Advocacy,' at the U.S. Department of State.
State Dept Image / May 13, 2014
20/29 Ambassador Catherine Russell talks with young girls at the Janakpur Road Show in Nepal during her trip to India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Ambassador Catherine Russell talks with young girls at the Janakpur Road Show in Nepal during her trip to India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
State Dept Image / Apr 14, 2014 / Nepal
21/29 First Lady Michelle Obama, Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom, and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell pose for a photo with the 2014 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Awardees at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2014. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]
First Lady Michelle Obama, Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom, and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell pose for a photo with the 2014 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Awardees at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2014. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]
State Dept Image / Mar 04, 2014
22/29 With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and her family looking on, Vice President Joe Biden signs the appointment papers for Catherine Russell to become the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on January 17, 2014.
With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and her family looking on, Vice President Joe Biden signs the appointment papers for Catherine Russell to become the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on January 17, 2014.
State Dept Image / Jan 17, 2014
23/29 Vice President Joseph Biden, with Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, participates in a round table discussion on women's role in the economy at DeNA, a Tokyo-based tech company, in Tokyo, Japan, on December 3, 2013.
Vice President Joseph Biden, with Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, participates in a round table discussion on women's role in the economy at DeNA, a Tokyo-based tech company, in Tokyo, Japan, on December 3, 2013.
State Dept Image / Dec 03, 2013 / Tokyo, Japan
24/29 Flanked by Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry participates in the Equal Futures Partnership event in New York City.
Flanked by Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry participates in the Equal Futures Partnership event in New York City.
State Dept Image / Sep 22, 2014 / New York City
25/29 Secretary of State John Kerry examines goods made by a textile worker during a break in an Organization of American States meeting.
Secretary of State John Kerry examines goods made by a textile worker during a break in an Organization of American States meeting.
State Dept Image / Jun 05, 2013 / Antigua, Guatemala
26/29 Secretary of State John Kerry meets with African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Delegates at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on August 6, 2013.
Secretary of State John Kerry meets with African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) Delegates at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on August 6, 2013.
State Dept Image / Aug 06, 2013
27/29 Secretary Kerry poses for a group photo during a tour of local businesses in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Secretary Kerry poses for a group photo during a tour of local businesses in Kabul, Afghanistan.
State Dept Image / Mar 26, 2013
28/29 Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman pose with the 2013 International Women of Courage Award Winners (Lto R): Second Lieutenant Malalai Bahaduri of Afghanistan, Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin of Nigeria, Elena Milashina of Russia, Fartuun Adan of Somalia, and Julieta Castellanos of Honduras.
Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman pose with the 2013 International Women of Courage Award Winners (Lto R): Second Lieutenant Malalai Bahaduri of Afghanistan, Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin of Nigeria, Elena Milashina of Russia, Fartuun Adan of Somalia, and Julieta Castellanos of Honduras.
State Dept Image / Mar 08, 2013
29/29 Hassina Syed, owner of the Syed Companies, explains one of her product lines, hydroponic plants, to Secretary John Kerry during a women's business showcase held at the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday, in Kabul. Her other business lines also include trucking, solar lighting and hospitality.
Hassina Syed, owner of the Syed Companies, explains one of her product lines, hydroponic plants, to Secretary John Kerry during a women's business showcase held at the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday, in Kabul. Her other business lines also include trucking, solar lighting and hospitality.
State Dept Image / Mar 26, 2013

The Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI), headed by Ambassador Catherine M. Russell, seeks to ensure that women’s issues are fully integrated in the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The Office works to promote stability, peace, and development by empowering women politically, socially, and economically around the world. Fact Sheet»

"No country can get ahead if it leaves half of its people behind. This is why the United States believes gender equality is critical to our shared goals of prosperity, stability, and peace, and why investing in women and girls worldwide is critical to advancing U.S. foreign policy." -Why Women are Central to U.S. Foreign Policy, an Op-Ed by Secretary of State John Kerry

U.S. Strategy To Empower Adolescent Girls

Secretary Kerry (Mar. 15): "We are here, all of us, every single one of us, because we believe ... that equitable treatment of women and girls is and always must be a core tenet of America’s global leadership." Full Text» Report» More»

2015 Evaluation of the Implementation of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally

Date: 12/21/2015 Description: Maya Indian woman with baby in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Central America. © Papa Bravo for Shuttersotck.com


In 2012, the Obama Administration released an unprecedented,
government-wide strategy to direct U.S. government agencies to identify, coordinate, integrate, and leverage their efforts and resources to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

This report illustrates how the Department has responded to each of the key objectives of the Strategy – to enhance coordination, integration, and research and to increase investments on these issues using our diplomacy and foreign assistance. The Executive Summary evaluates the progress the State Department has made on implementation over the past three years. Full report» [Get Acrobat Reader PDF version] More»

Women and Foreign Policy: Election Season

Amb. Russell (Nov. 12): “In societies with strong, inclusive democracies, we are more likely to see peaceful transfers of power, instead of violent struggles for control…But for that to happen, we need women to be engaged in all parts of the political process. And right now there are far too many barriers limiting their participation in far too many countries around the world.” Full Text» More»

Women and Foreign Policy: Ending Early and Forced Marriage

Amb. Russell (Sept. 24): "Early and forced marriage is one of many challenges facing adolescent girls around the world, and typically these challenges are inter-related. Economic pressure, conflict, sexual violence in communities or classrooms, HIV/AIDS, access to water and sanitation, poverty—the list goes on and on. So one-off programs can only be so successful. We’ve learned that our approach has to address both the branch and the root." Full Text» More»

Celebrating Artisan Enterprise: The New Startup Economy Forum

Secretary Kerry (Sept. 10): "The Alliance for Artisan Enterprise reflects exactly the kind of innovative thinking that we need to engage in if we’re going to expand this playing field as rapidly as we need to if we’re going to be able to implement our very ambitious post-2015 development goals and agenda...And it’s bringing to the world’s attention a set of issues that have really been neglected for far too long." Full Text» More»

2015 U.S.-China Women’s Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (WE-LEAD)

strong>Ambassador Russell (June 23): "This is the seventh time the United States and China have come together in this forum to exchange ideas and best practices around women’s leadership and gender equality." Full Text» Deputy Secretary Higginbottom's Remarks» More»

 

Testimony on Resources, Priorities, and Programs for Global Women's Issues

Ambassador Russell (May 5): "We at the Department of State believe that advancing the status of women and girls worldwide is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do. Study after study demonstrates that countries are more stable, peaceful, and prosperous when women are healthy, educated, and able to fully participate in their economies and societies." Full Text»