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President Obama Creates Ambassador-at-Large for In

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
U.S. President Obama named Melanne Verveer as Ambassador-at-Large for international women’s issues. According to the White House website, “The President’s decision to nominate an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues is unprecedented and reflects the elevated importance of global women’s issues to the President and his entire Administration.” The high-level position will advocate for women worldwide.

Ms. Verveer, who was confirmed by the Senate on 3 April 2009, will serve under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Prior to this position, she spent more than 25 years working for non-profit organizations and has experience in public interest and government work.

Said Meredith Larson, director of Amnesty International USA’s Stop Violence Against Women campaign, “The creation of this position sends a strong message to the world that the United States, in its deliberations on foreign policy and foreign aid, will give top priority to issues that affect women.”

In March, President Obama also created the new Council on Women and Girls, headed by Valerie Jarrett. That office will ensure that federal agencies take the needs and voices of women and girls into account when making decisions.

For more information on Obama's platform on women, see his official White House website.

Compiled from: Obama Creates Post for International Women's Issues, The Network for East-West Women, 14 April  2009; President Obama Announces White House Council on Women and Girls, Press Release, The White House, 11 March 2009; President Obama Announces Key State Department Appointments, Press Release, The White House, 6 March 2009; Amnesty International Hails Creation of New U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Amnesty International Press Release, 10 March 2009.

For More Information

For more information, please see the International Law and Global Gender Issues sections of this website.

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