SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President
Kamala Harris
will announce an initiative on Thursday to help women advance in important sectors such as clean energy, fisheries, and environmental conservation in countries around the world, as announced by the White House.
Harris will reveal pledges totaling $900 million from governments, companies, and civil society organizations as part of the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative (WISE), according to a statement from the White House.
This announcement coincides with the United States hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.
THE TAKE
Harris, who is seeking reelection with
President Joe Biden
in 2024, is prioritizing issues important to women ahead of a presidential election that will likely hinge in part on voters’ concerns over abortion rights.
Harris has been a leading advocate within the Biden administration for women’s rights to abortion after the Supreme Court struck down Roe vs Wade, which had previously cemented those rights, in 2022.
BY THE NUMBERS
The White House reported that countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, and Mexico, along with companies like Amazon, Citi, and PepsiCo, have pledged millions of dollars to initiatives aiding women in gaining jobs, training, and funding in environmentally friendly sectors.
For instance, Canada has committed $12.52 million through 2025 to support enterprises owned and operated by women in Ghana, and Amazon has pledged to invest $50 million in “climate tech” companies led by women.
“Women’s economic opportunities are linked to their ability to control, access, and use land, energy, and water,” stated the White House in a release. “By supporting women’s work and leadership in sectors critical to the future of our planet, we promote women’s economic security and advance efforts to address the causes and effects of climate change while bolstering economic prosperity.”
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Susan Fenton)
