WASHINGTON (September 5, 2017) – CARE today is pleased to support a letter signed by over forty corporate executives urging Secretary of State Tillerson to prioritize the rights of women and girls globally. The letter, supported by leaders of major U.S. companies, such as Gap Inc., Mars and P&G, highlights the critical need to expand opportunities for women and girls and to help them develop critical job skills to participate in the global economy, contribute to healthy societies and foster global stability.
“CARE stands firmly behind the importance of advancing women and girls throughout our U.S. foreign policy and development assistance,” said David Ray, vice president of policy and advocacy at CARE. “We welcome this letter as it underscores the benefits of women’s empowerment on American businesses and the global economy, and we are pleased to partner with so many influential companies to reinforce this message.”
CARE’s long-lasting experience in women’s economic empowerment has demonstrated that linking women and girls to skills and opportunities does more than just increase their earnings; it also helps to empower families and communities, as women re-invest in education, health care and family businesses.
As the U.S. Department of State considers ways to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in U.S. investments, CARE and its partners call on Secretary Tillerson to quickly select and confirm qualified and experienced candidates who demonstrate both commitment and understanding of the issues affecting women and girls globally. These positions include the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State and key USAID leadership, among others.
This letter was supported by a “Big Ideas for Women and Girls” Coalition, co-chaired by CARE USA, which consists of over 40 diverse non-governmental organizations, as well as former U.S. government officials, think tanks and academia that work to support the empowerment of women and girls globally.
About CARE
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year, CARE worked in 94 countries and reached more than 80 million people around the world. To learn more, please visit www.care.org.
Media Contacts
Nicole Ellis, +1-202-560-1791, nicole.ellis@care.org