Ambassador-at-Large of the United States for Global Women's Issues
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Geeta Rao Gupta
since May 18, 2023
Department of State
NominatorPresident of the United States
Inaugural holderMelanne Verveer
Formation2009
WebsiteU.S. Office - GWI

The Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues is the ambassador-at-large who heads the Office of Global Women's Issues in the United States Department of State. This ambassador-at-large also has the rank of Assistant Secretary.[1][2]

The position was created by the Barack Obama administration in 2009.[3] The first ambassador-at-large was Melanne Verveer,[3] who served from April 6, 2009, until she was replaced by Catherine M. Russell on May 8, 2013.[4] The post was vacant from January 20, 2017,[5] until Ambassador Kelley Eckels Currie was confirmed by the Senate and took office on January 14, 2020.[6] Currie left the post on January 20, 2021, and the position was vacant from January 20, 2021, to May 18, 2023. The Senior Official performing the duties of the office during this time was Katrina Fotovat. On May 18, 2023, Geeta Rao Gupta began work as the next Senate-confirmed ambassador-at-large.

The Department of State's Office of Global Women's Issues ensures that the rights of women and girls are fully integrated into the formulation and conduct of United States foreign policy. Working with the White House, USAID, the Department of Defense, and other agencies, as well as with civil society and the private sector, the United States Department of State has launched multiple and wide-ranging global initiatives to promote women's social and economic development, integrate women into peace and security building, address and prevent gender-based violence, and ensure women's full participation in civic and political life.

Accomplishments of the Office of Global Women's issues to date[7] include health care and police training to help survivors of sexual violence in the Congo and support for female entrepreneurs in the Americas.

List of ambassadors

Image Name Appointment Left office President served under
Melanne Verveer April 6, 2009 May 8, 2013 Barack Obama
Catherine Russell August 26, 2013 January 20, 2017
Vacant January 20, 2017 January 14, 2020 Donald Trump
Kelley Eckels Currie January 14, 2020 January 20, 2021
Vacant January 20, 2021 May 18, 2023 Joe Biden
Geeta Rao Gupta May 18, 2023 Incumbent

References

  1. ↑ "Assistant Secretaries and Equivalent Rank". January 20, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Department Organization Chart". March 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Rhee, Foon. Boston.com. Obama nominates ambassador for women's issues March 6, 2009. Accessed March 8, 2009.
  4. ↑ State Dept. official biography of Catherine M. Russell Accessed September 24, 2013.
  5. ↑ Global Women's Issues (Ambassador-at-Large): Vacant
  6. ↑ "Ambassador Kelley E. Currie". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  7. ↑ Wheaton, Sarah (August 22, 2013). "A Question of How Women's Issues Will Fare, in Washington and Overseas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 6, 2016.


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