iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A prominent Indian American doctor has been nominated as ambassador at large for global women’s issues at US Department of State by President Joe Biden.
On Friday, 19 November, president Biden announced his intent to nominate Dr Geeta Rao Gupta.
Gupta, who is a proven and experienced champion for increasing access to health care and gender equality. If confirmed, she will lead this important office to advance gender equity.
She is currently a senior fellow at the United Nations Foundation and senior advisor to Co-impact, a global collaborative philanthropy for systems change.
During her time there, Gupta founded and served as executive director of the 3D program for girls and women.
She currently serves as co-chair of the World Health Organization independent oversight and advisory committee for health emergencies, chairs the global advisory board of WomenLift Health, a new initiative to promote women’s leadership in global health and serves as a member of the board of UBS Optimus Foundation and of the advisory board of Merck for Mothers.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, including InterAction’s Julia Taft Award for Outstanding Leadership, Harvard University’s Anne Roe Award and Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award.
Gupta was awarded a PhD in psychology from Bangalore University and a master of philosophy and Master of Arts from the University of Delhi.
Welcoming President Biden’s intent to nominate Gupta, Alexis McGill Johnson, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said: “Planned Parenthood welcomes the important nomination of Dr Geeta Rao Gupta as United States ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues. We are excited for Dr. Gupta to play a key role in delivering on the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to gender equity and equality, which includes efforts to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights across US foreign policies. We look forward to working together to achieve this goal.”
The organization is America’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the largest provider of sex education.
The office of global women’s issues, as part of the department of state, works to integrate women’s empowerment into the US policy, diplomacy, partnerships and program.
She has extensive experience in global health and gender equality, working across multilateral institutions and global non-profit organizations. She is recognized for her work to advance gender equality and for her expertise in health, gender-based violence and women’s leadership.
