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GWI Cover Photo – Landing Page 2

Our Mission

The Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) has a mandate to promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls through U.S. foreign policy. Headed by an Ambassador-at-Large, the office leads the Department’s efforts to empower women and girls in U.S. diplomacy, partnerships, and programs.

The Latest

Our Priorities

Women’s Economic Empowerment

When women are economically empowered, they re-invest in their families and communities, producing a multiplier effect that spurs economic growth and contributes to global peace and stability. In February 2019, President Trump established the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative with the goal of reaching 50 million women across the developing world by 2025.

Learn More About the State Department's Programs for Women's Economic Empowerment Women’s Economic Empowerment

Women, Peace, and Security

Women offer unique contributions to making and keeping peace in countries around the world–and those contributions lead to better outcomes not just for women, but for entire societies. The U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) reaffirms the U.S. commitment to enhance women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes, conflict prevention and resolution, and political and civil life.

Learn More About Women, Peace, and Security Women, Peace, and Security

Cross-Cutting Issues

S/GWI’s work on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Women, Peace and Security covers is not single-faceted. There are several cross-cutting issues that S/GWI targets through its work in other areas including Combatting Violent Extremism, Violence against Women, and Women’s Leadership.

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U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future