U.S. Global Leadership Coalition: Investing in Women around the World: Supportive Voices in the Administration
Sung Lee, deputy policy director, writes, “Against the backdrop of proposed dramatic budget cuts to the State Department and USAID, prominent voices in the administration have been speaking on behalf of investments in the empowerment of women and girls around the world.” He notes recent comments from First Lady Melania Trump and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and continues, “The First Lady and Ambassador Haley’s remarks on empowering and expanding opportunities for women and girls are encouraging, but the proposed budget cuts could wipe out funding for programs that are giving women and girls in developing countries the tools to lift themselves out of violence and poverty. … As we conclude Women’s History Month, let’s remember that empowering women and girls is a strategic, cost-effective investment that builds a better, safer world for America and for people across the globe” (3/31).