| Post: | Ambassador-at-Large |
| Body: | the United States for Global Women's Issues |
| Insignia: | US Department of State official seal.svg |
| Insigniasize: | 120px |
| Insigniacaption: | Seal of the United States Department of State |
| Department: | Department of State |
| Incumbent: | Geeta Rao Gupta |
| Incumbentsince: | May 18, 2023 |
| Nominator: | President of the United States |
| Formation: | 2009 |
| Inaugural: | Melanne Verveer |
| Website: | U.S. Office - GWI |
The Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues is the ambassador-at-large who heads the Office of Global Women's Issues in the United States Department of State, with the rank of Assistant Secretary.[1] [2]
The position was created by the Barack Obama administration in 2009. The first ambassador-at-large was Melanne Verveer,[3] who served from April 6, 2009, until she was replaced by Catherine M. Russell on May 8, 2013.[4] The post was vacant from January 20, 2017,[5] until Ambassador Kelley Eckels Currie was confirmed by the Senate and took office on January 14, 2020.[6] Currie left the post on January 20, 2021, and the position was vacant from January 20, 2021, to May 18, 2023. The Senior Official performing the duties of the office during this time was Katrina Fotovat. On May 18, 2023, Geeta Rao Gupta began work as the next Senate-confirmed ambassador-at-large.
The Department of State's Office of Global Women's Issues ensures that the rights of women and girls are fully integrated into the formulation and conduct of United States foreign policy. Working with the White House, USAID, the Department of Defense, and other agencies, as well as with civil society and the private sector, the United States Department of State has launched multiple and wide-ranging global initiatives to promote women's social and economic development, integrate women into peace and security building, address and prevent gender-based violence, and ensure women's full participation in civic and political life.
Accomplishments of the Office of Global Women's issues to date[7] include health care and police training to help survivors of sexual violence in the Congo and support for female entrepreneurs in the Americas.
| Image | Name | Appointment | Left office | President served under | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melanne Verveer | April 6, 2009 | May 8, 2013 | Barack Obama | |
| 2 | Catherine Russell | August 26, 2013 | January 20, 2017 | ||
| - | Vacant | January 20, 2017 | January 14, 2020 | Donald Trump | |
| 3 | Kelley Eckels Currie | January 14, 2020 | January 20, 2021 | ||
| - | Vacant | January 20, 2021 | May 18, 2023 | Joe Biden | |
| 4 | Geeta Rao Gupta | May 18, 2023 | Incumbent |