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Memo 13506MemorandumObama · D Quiet signal

Presidential Memorandum 13506

Coordination of Policies and Programs To Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women and Girls Globally

This memorandum directs the Secretary of State to designate a Coordinator for global women's issues, who will normally also serve as an Ambassador at Large, to lead the Office of Global Women's Issues and coordinate U.S. efforts to promote gender equality and empower women and girls internationally. It establishes an interagency working group chaired by the National Security Advisor to coordinate government-wide implementation of these policies across multiple departments and agencies.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 7989

Key directives

  • Secretary of State shall designate a coordinator who will normally also be appointed as Ambassador at Large
  • Ambassador at Large shall lead Office of Global Women's Issues and report directly to Secretary of State
  • Ambassador at Large shall provide guidance and coordination for global policies and programs for women and girls
  • Ambassador at Large shall assist in implementing and developing policies, strategies, and action plans, coordinating with USAID and other agencies
  • Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at USAID shall provide guidance to USAID Administrator
  • Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall chair interagency working group with senior representatives from State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, HHS, Education, DHS, Intelligence Community, USAID, MCC, Peace Corps, UN Mission, USTR, OMB, VP's office, NEC, and other designated agencies

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Secretary of State to designate Coordinator/Ambassador at Large
  • establishment of interagency working group

Near term (90d)

  • working group to develop coordinated government-wide implementation policies

Long term

  • ongoing coordination of U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance to promote gender equality
  • implementation of policies, strategies, and action plans for international gender equality

Risks & tensions

  • No specific funding or resource commitments beyond 'subject to availability of appropriations'
  • Coordination mechanism may create bureaucratic overlap with existing offices and initiatives
  • Effectiveness depends on senior leadership commitment without enforcement mechanisms
  • Vague on metrics for accountability and measuring outcomes
Presidential Memorandum 13506: Coordination of Policies and Programs To Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women and Girls Globally · Executive Orders