Washington, DC - Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell will travel to Asia and Africa from July 16 – 27.

Ambassador Russell will accompany Dr. Jill Biden on a trip to the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, and Laos from July 16 – 22 to focus on a range of issues related to women and girls, including women’s economic empowerment and girls’ education.

Ambassador Russell will then travel to Kenya from July 23 – 25 to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which will include a day focused on youth and women entrepreneurs. While in Kenya, Ambassador Russell will meet with entrepreneurs, investors, and members of civil society to discuss how to economically empower women and address the unique challenges women often face in starting and growing a business.

Ambassador Russell’s trip will end in Rwanda from July 26 – 27. She will visit the State Department-sponsored WiSci Camp for girls that focuses on science, technology, engineering, art and design, and math (STEAM). As part of the Let Girls Learn initiative, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama, the three-week camp will bring together 120 adolescent girls from eight African countries and the United States to learn valuable skills in the STEAM fields. The girls will practice analytical problem-solving and creative, critical thinking while immersed in a rich cultural exchange.