Linda Noory frente a un fondo azul con garabatos

What Are Women’s Issues in U.S. Foreign Policy?

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Women around the world face unique and varied challenges, such as gender-based violence, equal access to education, and a lack of economic opportunities. As a world leader, the United States has a responsibility to address these issues. At the State Department, the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues works to address women’s issues across the globe through U.S. foreign policy.

Lida Noory, Director of Women, Peace, and Security at the Office of Global Women’s Issues makes the case for why it is in everyone’s best interest to consider and integrate the voices of women into foreign policy decisions.

Discussion Questions

Use the following discussion questions to guide your classroom conversations about this video. Refer to the timestamps to find the answers to these questions.

  1. Why is it important to include women in discussions about national and international policies? (start – 0:44)
  2. Explain your thinking about this quote from the video, “The United States, as a prominent global leader, has a responsibility to lead on these issues…if we do not raise these issues…then it will impact our own national security.” How does not addressing women’s issues negatively impact a country’s national security? (1:06 – 2:00)
  3. Why would addressing gender equality issues be smart or strategically wise for a country to address? (2:38 – 3:03)
  4. Why is it important to have local advocates for women’s issues be part of advocacy programs? (3:10 – 4:46)
  5. In what ways are diplomats informed about women’s issues? (4:50 – 5:22)
  6. Identify some current ways the United States is involved with global women’s issues.
  7. What are some examples of gender inequality and women’s issues that nations are addressing or need to address?
  8. What is one thing you learned from the video that you found interesting, surprising, or confusing?
  9. Summarize what you learned about global women’s issues.
  10. What is one question you want to ask the speaker in this video?

Video Vocabulary

The following terms are referenced in this video.

  • Imperative – Absolutely necessary.
  • Gender equality – Refers to the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of all genders.
  • Foreign policy – The plan a country has that describes how to interact with other countries.
  • Disproportionately – Numbers that are too large or too small in comparison to something else.
  • Fundamental – Basic and important for action.
  • Resonates – To have a particular meaning or importance for someone.
  • Mindset – A mental attitude or outlook of a person.
  • Cultural diplomacy – International relations that are based on sharing one country’s culture with another to foster understanding and build positive relationships.
  • Discourse – Formal, orderly, and usually an extended expression of thought on a subject.
  • Viable – Capable of working, functioning, or developing successfully.

AP and IB Course Connections

Use this video in your Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes. Below are prompts for each course.

AP Comparative Government

Suggested Course Units: Unit 1: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments; Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation; Unit 4: Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations; Unit 5: Political and Economic Changes and Development
Question Type: Argument essay
Prompt: Develop an argument as to why the United States must work with nations to support women’s issues. Use one or more of the following course concepts in your response:

  • Power and Authority
  • Legitimacy and Stability
  • Internal/External Forces
  • Democratization

In your response, you should do the following:

  • Respond to the prompt with a defensible claim or thesis that establishes a line of reasoning using one or more of the provided course concepts.
  • Support your claim with at least two pieces of specific and relevant evidence from one or more course countries. The evidence should be relevant to one or more of the provided course concepts.
  • Use reasoning to explain why your evidence supports your claim or thesis, using one or more of the provided course concepts.
  • Respond to an opposing or alternate perspective, using refutation, concession, or rebuttal.

IB Global Politics

Paper Type: Stimulus-based paper on a topic from one of the four core units.
Prompt: “Women’s rights are the same as human rights.” Discuss this claim, using the video and your own knowledge.

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