At the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), we know that investing in women builds resilient, self-reliant, and prosperous societies. Today's launch of the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative will accelerate the achievement of these goals by leveraging the collective resources and expertise of the U.S. Government to unlock the full economic potential of women around the world.

USAID supports this important initiative and this Administration's leadership, particularly that of Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, in bringing women's economic empowerment to the front of U.S. foreign-policy. Under the Initiative, USAID will establish and manage the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Fund with an initial allocation of $50 million to finance and scale programs that promote women's ability to participate in the economy equally with men - whether as employees, managers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, or investors. We are eager to work with our partners to overcome the barriers to the full and equal inclusion of women in the formal economy.