The US has said ensuring young women's equal access to education is central to gender equality.

Women and girls have the right to learn, innovate, compete, and succeed in the global economy, it added.

The US is working to make this vision a reality through its Global Women's Economic Security strategy.

From January 21 to 22, US Senior Official to the Secretary of State in the Office of Global Women's Issues Kat Fotovat participated in the 10th Commencement Ceremony of the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram where she delivered remarks and met with students and faculty.

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"When you educate women, you change not only their lives for the better; the ripple effects are immediately felt by their families and communities," her office tweeted.

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Fotovat also spoke to the "inspiring" women leaders at this year's AUW Commencement Conference.
In Dhaka, Fotovat will engage with members of government and civil society to discuss women, peace, and security issues in Bangladesh and the region on January 23.

She will participate in an inauguration event for the Reducing Child Marriage – Skills Training for Advancing Resources project, a partnership between the US Embassy Dhaka and Brac.

This programme will provide vocational training for 14-18-year-old girls and young women – especially those most at risk of a child, early, and forced marriage – from the most climate-vulnerable localities of Bangladesh.

Since 2017, the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI) has supported scholarships for young women from conflict zones in Asia and the Middle East to attend university at AUW.

With S/GWI support, AUW aims to produce the next generation of women leaders for Asia and the Middle East by providing a high-quality education to women of great potential who would otherwise have few opportunities.

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Programming includes opportunities for training in leadership, human rights, and organisational and financial management, as well as practical internship experiences.