Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell will travel to Manila, from September 14 to 18, to lead the US delegation to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings on women and the economy.
The US Embassy in Manila said that while in the Philippines, Russell will launch several US-led initiatives that will empower women to play larger roles in the Apec economies. The initiatives will focus on entrepreneurship, health and sharing best practices between economies.
In addition to leading the delegation, Russell will also meet with government officials, members of Filipino civil society, and young women to discuss gender equality in the Philippines and the Apec economies more broadly.
Three years ago, the Department of State released the US Department of State Implementation Plan of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
The plan provides guidance for how the department, both in Washington and at US embassies and consulates, can advance efforts under the US National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP).
The NAP, which was issued in December 2011 together with Executive Order 13595, seeks to ensure that women participate equally in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence and insecurity.