Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta Confirmed As Ambassador For Global Women’s Issues

On Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Biden’s nominee for Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues at the Department of State. Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, former Executive Director of the 3D Program for Girls and Women at the UN Foundation, is known as a global leader on gender equity and women’s economic security.

Peter Yeo, Senior Vice President for the UN Foundation, commended the U.S. Senate for making a “smart and strategic decision” today by confirming Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta to her new post as Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues.

Yeo went on to say, “This vote underscores U.S. commitment to gender equity at a time when women’s basic human rights and welfare are at risk around the world.”

“Dr. Gupta is a deeply admired leader with extensive experience in the priority areas of the Office of Global Women’s issues,” said Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President of the UN Foundation’s Girls and Women Strategy. “This is a critical role for U.S. global leadership, and Dr. Gupta will fulfill it with great distinction.”

Prior to her confirmation, Dr. Gupta worked closely with many UN agencies and programs. She co-convened an international initiative commissioned by UNAIDS to plan the global response to HIV/AIDS over the next 25 years, and was appointed by the Secretary-General to the role of Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF. She has served on an oversight committee for the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme, and co-chaired the World Banks’s Global Gender-based Violence Task Force. In addition, Gupta served as the President of the International Center for Research on Women.

Ambassador Gupta’s confirmation would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy of Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). Their leadership and perseverance will benefit our country and other countries worldwide.