Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, will travel to Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Kathmandu, Nepal January 2 through 8 to meet with government, community-based, and civil society leaders involved in advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, and to promote U.S. policy on women, peace, and security. During the Bangladesh portion of her trip, from January 4-6, Ambassador Verveer will join a Congressional Delegation engaging with host country officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on such issues as child marriage, maternal and child health, women’s political and economic participation, gender-based violence, the role of women in climate change, and improving girls’ access to education.

Ambassador Verveer will continue on to Kathmandu, Nepal January 6-8 to focus on promoting the role of women in conflict and post-conflict situations, and meet with Nepalese government leaders, civil society representatives and the NGO community to discuss the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Ambassador Verveer will return to Washington on January 9.