Indian-American Dr Geeta Rao Gupta has been confirmed as the Ambassador-at-Large for the Office of Global Women's Issues in the State Department by the US Senate.
"Dr Geeta Rao Gupta was confirmed by the US Senate as the Ambassador-at-Large for the Office of Global Women's Issues. The State Department looks forward to her efforts to promote women and girls' rights through US foreign policy," The Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues tweeted.
Dr Geeta's holds a PhD in Social Psychology from Bangalore University in India, an MPhil & MA from the University of Delhi. The statement said that her wealth of experience and accolades made her an excellent choice for this important role in advancing women's rights globally.
US President Joe Biden had nominated Dr Geeta for this role, and last week she received confirmation with a vote of 51 to 47.
In a tweet Democrat Senator Robert Menendez, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said, “Immensely thrilled to see Dr Geeta Rao Gupta finally confirmed as Ambassador of Global Women's Issues. With women's rights and fundamental freedoms under attack worldwide, her leadership is more crucial than ever, and I look forward to continuing to support her important work.”
Dr Geeta has worked closely with several United Nations agencies and programmes. She has also held the position of the Executive Director of the UN Foundation's 3D Programme for Girls and Women.
She has earlier advised the UNAIDS Global Coalition on Women and AIDS and is one of the boards of InterAction and the Moriah Fund.
She also held the position of co-chair of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Education and Gender Equality.
"Dr Gupta is a deeply admired leader with extensive experience in the priority areas of the Office of Global Women's issues, said Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President of the UN Foundation's Girls and Women Strategy. This is a critical role for US global leadership, and Dr Gupta will fulfil it with great distinction," said Peter Yeo, Senior Vice President for the UN Foundation.
