— Ambassador Russell on Breaking the Silence on FGM/C in Egypt: One Activist’s Story.
— Ambassador Cathy Russell on why the Paris agreement is important for women and girls.
“Investing in the potential of all young people, through access to a well-rounded, world-class global education, is an investment in our collective future.” – First Lady Michelle Obama
Study abroad is a time of great discovery—young Americans experience the world and begin to form networks that will enhance their prospects in the world’s marketplace and their potential as global problem-solvers. Americans who study abroad build understanding as unofficial ambassadors for our country, defining American values and debunking stereotypes.
— First Lady Michelle Obama, 2015 International Education Week (IEW) Letter (via exchangealumni)
Tens of millions of people in the developing world, largely women, participate in the artisan sector. After agriculture, the artisan sector is the second largest employer in the developing world - valued at $32 billion per year.
The Thunderclap campaign aims to launch a movement to raise awareness about the value of buying artisan goods.
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“Whether they are moving mountains, blazing trails or breaking ice, the change agents of the Global Sports Mentoring Program are creating a lasting legacy of empowering women in every corner of the world.” – Assistant Secretary Evan Ryan on how Sports Mentoring Empowers Women
From the Philippines to Pakistan, the international women of the U.S. Department of State’s espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) are making a significant impact in their home communities. Whether helping communities that have faced natural disasters recover through sports initiatives or encouraging families to support girls soccer teams, GSMP alumnae complete their month-long mentorships with action plans that engage, inspire, and empower.
“Whether they are moving mountains, blazing trails or breaking ice, the change agents of the Global Sports Mentoring Program are creating a lasting legacy of empowering women in every corner of the world.” Assistant Secretary Evan Ryan on Empowering Women Through Sports.
One year ago today, hundreds of girls gathered in their village’s sole secondary school. It was supposed to be closed, but a special exception – the national exam to enter college – opened the doors to hundreds of girls in their final year of school.
For them, taking the test was risky – it wasn’t safe to be at school – but it was an opportunity the young women couldn’t miss. The test promised to put them on track to go to college and to give them the opportunity for a career.
(Source: blogs.state.gov)
In March, the U.S. Department of State honored the International Women of Courage awardees. This year one of the award recipients was an amazing Ebola survivor from Guinea. Listen to her discuss her work as a nurse and what it is like to be an Ebola survivor on the newest episode of our Fighting Ebola audio series.
(Source: SoundCloud / U.S. Department of State)
Entrepreneurship can transform the world. Entrepreneurs solve problems, create jobs and boost economies. That’s why – through the United States’ Spark Initiative – the U.S. has committed to generating $1 billion in new investments in entrepreneurs, particularly women and girls.
“Over the next three years, we’re aiming to spark more than one billion dollars in new investments in the next generation of entrepreneurs around the world—to help them open a new business, expand into new markets and ignite the next era of innovation and growth,” said President Obama in a video message at a Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Tunisia.
(Source: blogs.state.gov)
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