U.S.-Afghan Women's Council

The U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council is a public-private partnership, created in 2002. It connects the U.S. and Afghan governments, the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations to develop and implement initiatives for Afghan women and girls, in support of U.S. goals of promoting stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

The Council began its work at the State Department and in 2009 transitioned to Georgetown University. The U.S. chairs are the President of Georgetown University, Dr. John DeGioia, and Secretary Clinton’s Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer. The Afghan chairs are the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Women’s Affairs. Mrs. Laura Bush is an Honorary Advisor.

The Council uses its network to identify needs in Afghanistan, to convene interested partners to develop proposals, and to help broker connections for funding and implementation. The Council consists of a core group of Members who are pre-eminent figures in government, the private sector, and philanthropy. They serve as a defacto steering committee to guide the work of subcommittees on health, education and literacy, entrepreneurship, and political leadership. The subcommittees are supported by affinity groups with programs and activities in Afghanistan.

Please visit the Council’s new website at http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/usawc for information from the Bush Administration see http://2002-2009-usawc.state.gov/.

Secretary Clinton and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer meet with senior executive Afghan women civil servants on a program sponsored by USAID and the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council at the State Department on July 7, 2009.