Joint Press Statement: 3rd US.-China Women's Leadership

Joint Press Statement on the 3rd US.-China Women's Leadership and Exchange Dialogue (Women-LEAD)

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 29, 2012

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On March 28, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer welcomed a delegation of Chinese women leaders from across sectors to the U.S. Department of State for the Third U.S.-China Women’s Leadership and Exchange Dialogue (Women-LEAD). Madame Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People’s Republic of China and President of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), led the delegation to the United States.

The third U.S.-China Women-LEAD dialogue focused on the topic of “Women and Employment.” The U.S. delegation consisted of government officials, academics, and other members of civil society. The two sides discussed best practices and effective policies to promote the economic, legal, and social advancement of women in the workforce in their respective countries. Both sides agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries’ academic and research institutions, women's rights organizations, and business communities. Secretary Clinton and Madame Chen also discussed possible collaboration to promote the use of clean cookstoves in rural homes and address the health and environmental challenges posed by indoor air pollution to women and their families.

Both sides welcomed progress made by the U.S.-China Women-LEAD initiative. Since its launch in April 2011 by Secretary Clinton and Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong, Women-LEAD has increased exchanges between senior women leaders from the U.S and China and strengthened good-will between the two countries. The first dialogue took place in Washington in April 2011. The second dialogue, focused on “Work and Family,” was held in Beijing in November 2011. The next dialogue will be held in Beijing in May 2012.

ENDS

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