At last week's launch of the GSMA mWomen Program, a project initiated by the GSMA Development Fund, Secretary Clinton announced U.S. support for building public-private partnerships to advance mobile technology for women in the developing world and to close the global gender gap that prevents hundreds of millions of women from gaining access to this technology. The event was enlightening, inspiring, and energizing. The GSMA mWomen Program aims to halve, in three years, the number of women who have been left on the sidelines of the… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Former British First Lady Cherie Blair delivered remarks today on international support for increasing women's access to mobile technology. The event launched the GSMA mWomen Program, a project of the GSMA Development Fund and the Cherie Blair Foundation, to promote mobile technologies as tools for women's empowerment and international development.
Secretary Clinton said, "Now, we know that it goes without saying, it is so obvious, that mobile technology has reshaped the way that people work, learn, and communicate. And here at the State Department, it has also changed how we pursue our twin missions of diplomacy and development. We are using cell phones and mobile applications to help us coordinate disaster relief, track the results of our global health programs, engage directly with people whose contact with us would… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks at the 12th Annual Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit on October 6 in Washington, DC. Secretary Clinton spoke about the power of mentoring, and supporting women and girls.
The Secretary said, "I am a firm believer in the power of mentoring. There are women and girls in our country and around the world who have the talent, the intellect, the drive to succeed, but who lack the support. I have become convinced that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. And you never know when what you do or say can open that door to opportunity for someone who is ready to walk through it, but could not get under, around, or over it without your help. And still in too many places, support for women is in short supply. But through mentoring,… more »
The Women's Entrepreneurship Summit (WES), which took place last Friday, represents the first-ever Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) high-level policy and public-private partnership to recognize the important role women play in driving economic growth. The Summit was jointly hosted by the Japanese and U.S. governments -- the APEC Chairs for 2010 and 2011, respectively. In attendance was a talented group of women from across 21 APEC economies, including a venture capitalist from Japan, a second-hand clothing entrepreneur and women's rights activist from Papua New Guinea, and a beauty queen turned media mogul… more »
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of State launched TechWomen, a ground-breaking program that will link women from the Middle East and North Africa working in technology with their counterparts in Silicon Valley.
This program will identify 38 women who are emerging leaders in technical fields from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the West Bank and Gaza, and bring them to the United States for a five-week, project-based mentoring program at leading technology companies.
In a time of ongoing economic uncertainty, one thing is sure: entrepreneurs and small businesses represent critical sources of economic growth and innovation, and women have the opportunity to lead the way.
This week, around 250 policymakers and businesswomen from across 21 economies in the Asia Pacific region are gathering in Gifu, Japan to unleash the power of women entrepreneurs. Under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and on the margins of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministerial Meeting, the United States and Japan will co-host… more »
The Kuwait Economic Society (KES), a civil society organization focused on economic development and reform of the country, kicked off its MEPI-funded local grant project, “Women's Leadership and Entrepreneurship,” in June 2010. The goal of this women's empowerment initiative is to create a more enabling trade, investment, and business environment for Kuwaiti women. The project also aims to increase private sector capacity by promoting and supporting women entrepreneurs by catalyzing the Women's Entrepreneurship Development Project, an already established KES program. The initiative… more »
About the Author: Jillian DeLuna is a Program Analyst in the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs.
I recently sat down with three participants of the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). These women traveled to Washington, D.C. and Kansas City to meet with policymakers, African ministers, companies, and non-profits to enhance their business network and skills. We discussed their African businesses, trade under AGOA, and what they plan to do when they return to Africa.
Can you tell me a little bit about the business in your home country?
Ms. Matsimane from Lesotho: I am project development officer for Abelanang Basotho which is a company I… more »
About the Author: Carrie LaCrosse is a Foreign Affairs Officer in the Bureau of Economics, Energy, and Business Affairs.
For the past week, I have had the pleasure to accompany the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) during their meetings in Washington, DC. These dynamic women have incredible stories. One of the participants, Ms. Candide Leguede from Togo was inspired to share her thoughts on the AWEP Program and the future of African businesswomen. Here is her story, in her own words:
"I am very impressed and grateful to the U.S. Government to have initiated the African Women Entrepreneurship Program in connection with the AGOA Forum. This shows how important women in business are in the eyes… more »
Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to a group of 34 women entrepreneurs nominated by their embassies for the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). These women are proven leaders, policymakers, and representatives of business and non-profit organizations in their communities, and have traveled to the United States to meet with policymakers, African ministers, companies, and non-profits to enhance their business network and skills. The program aims to foster greater integration into the… more »
like it ! Excellent tool for women to protect ourselves !!
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Gary in Washington DC writes:
I agree that men and boys play critical roles in addressing the violence against women, and the government and NPOs should keep educating males to respect…
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John in Indonesia writes:
live in harmony in our family, no violence at all, positive thinking, hoping that our neighbour will see and copy us.
more »
May 24: Secretary Clinton and Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Michael Posner will release the 2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices at 10:30 a.m. more »
May 23: The State Department, through its office of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), is pleased to announce $1.5 million in funding to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to support open governance and political participation in the Middle East and North Africa. more »
![Kapilaben Vankar at the GSMA mWomen Program, Washington, DC, Oct. 7, 2010. [State Dept /Public]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1018_sewa_m.jpg)
![An Indonesian woman counts currency at her food stall in Jakarta, Aug. 25, 2005. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1005_apec_m.jpg)
![An Egyptian woman talks on a mobile phone in Cairo, Egypt on Oct. 29, 2009. [AP FIle Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_1004_woman_phone_m.jpg)
![A woman walks by an electronic stock board in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 27, 2009. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0930_apec_m.jpg)
![A woman speaks on her mobile phone in Kuwait City, Kuwait, January 7, 2001. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0810_woman_phone_m.jpg)
![Woman wears a traditional hat in Likalaneng, Lesotho, Feb. 17, 2007. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0805_woman_lesotho_m.jpg)
![Women fish vendors at market in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, Jan. 4, 2007. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0803_fish_market_m.jpg)
![A women gives a business presentation. [State]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2010_0728_women_business_m.jpg)
