Africa: Travel of Ambassador Melanne Verveer to Zambia

Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, will travel to Lusaka, Zambia on June 8-10 to participate in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. On June 9, she will address the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) conference to support the expansion of the program. AWEP was launched by the Department of State during last year’s AGOA Forum to help African women grow their businesses, advocate for improved business environments, and lead women’s business networks. On June 10, she will speak at the AGOA Ministerial Forum about the importance of investing in women to drive economic growth. In addition to meeting with government officials and private sector representatives, Ambassador Verveer will also visit a support center for survivors of gender-based violence, meet with women entrepreneurs, and visit a leadership program for girls.