Geeta Rao Gupta, an Indian-American, was officially sworn in as the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues in the US State Department. Her confirmation for the position was supported by a vote of 51 to 47 in the US Senate in May of this year.

Gupta has emphasized the numerous inequities and hardships faced by women worldwide, which hinder their full participation in the economy. She highlighted the threats to their safety, the fear of violence they experience daily, and the challenges they face in conflict, emergencies, and humanitarian crises. These vulnerabilities affect both their personal safety and their ability to provide for their families.

Her confirmation hearing held last year shed light on her commitment to addressing these issues and working towards gender equality on a global scale.

In describing herself as a "first-generation immigrant," Geeta Rao Gupta acknowledged her family's legacy of professional women dedicated to serving their communities, supported wholeheartedly by the men in her family.

During her confirmation hearing, Gupta shared that her doctoral research in India focused on understanding the obstacles women encounter when pursuing a career. This research became the catalyst for her career dedicated to addressing the inequalities experienced by women. "It became both my passion and my profession," she expressed.

Gupta highlighted her experiences working with women across different countries, such as women entrepreneurs in Kenya and India who overcome limited access to financial services to sustain small businesses. She also acknowledged the courage of women in Liberia who, against great odds, mobilized to demand peace for their families and communities. Witnessing these women utilize their limited resources to provide for their families and protect others reinforced her commitment to her work.

The ceremonial swearing-in event was attended by notable individuals, including her husband Arvind Gupta, her daughter Nayna Gupta, her sister-in-law Manjuli Maheshwari, and close family friend Carolina Rojas.

Previously, Geeta Rao Gupta held the position of Executive Director of the 3D Program for Girls and Women and served as a Senior Fellow at the United Nations Foundation.

Her extensive career includes roles such as Deputy Executive Director at UNICEF and Senior Fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Notably, Gupta also served as the president of the International Centre for Research on Women, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., for over a decade. This organization focuses on utilizing research to shape policies and programs in international development, with the aim of empowering women and girls.