“Increasing women’s meaningful participation in political and public life is about changing cultural norms about women and changing the culture of politics,” Catherine Russell, U.S. ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues, said in remarks delivered at NDI in Washington last week.
At an event co-hosted by NDI and the International Republican Institute (IRI), Ambassador Russell examined challenges facing women’s political participation around the world and how those challenges could be addressed. Susan Markham, director of women’s political participation programs at NDI, moderated a discussion with Russell that included questions from the audience.
“We believe that peace, security, prosperity, and economic growth cannot be achieved without the full participation of women, and that men and boys are important partners in this effort,” Russell said.
