US envoy Catherine M. Russell

Egypt is making progress on issues like education, women’s participation in politics, and entrepreneurship, said the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell on Sunday.

In a statement published by the US Embassy in Cairo, Ambassador Russell said she will meet with and hear from a diverse group of Egyptian women in business, government, and civil society. “I’m looking forward to seeing some of that progress first hand and learning more about the next steps Egypt is taking for women and girls,” she said.

During her two-day visit, Ambassador Russell will speak with women about economic inclusion, political involvement, education and health for young women, and gender-based violence.

Ambassador Russell leads the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State, where she helps lead U.S. global efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, empower women in the economy, elevate women in peace and security, and educate adolescent girls.

Prior to assuming this position in August 2013, she served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.