H.R. 8575 — EMPOWER Act

This section declares eight congressional findings on the importance of women's political, economic, and social participation in South and Central Asia, including that women comprise about 33% of South Asia's labor force (among the world's lowest rates), with gender parity potentially increasing regional GDP by 19-58%; that Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have female labor force participation rates of 29.6% and 35.9%, respectively; and that the Women's Councils—public-private partnerships between the Department of State and U.S. businesses, civil society, and universities—advance women's economic empowerment, implement the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 and a specified presidential memorandum, and operate at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.

This section declares it to be the policy of the United States to promote women’s economic security and advancement, including in South and Central Asia, as an integral part of the broader conduct of United States foreign policy in the region.

This section directs the Secretary of State to maintain and expand existing women’s councils and public-private partnerships—such as the United States-Pakistan Women’s Council, the United States-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, and the Alliance for Afghan Women’s Economic Resilience—that forge U.S. ties with South and Central Asian countries and advance women’s employment, entrepreneurship, and education by catalyzing commitments from the private sector, civil society, and academia. It expresses the sense of Congress that such activities support (1) women’s financial inclusion; (2) mentorship access; (3) asset ownership; (4) incubation and scaling of women-owned startups and small and medium enterprises; (5) procurement opportunities for women entrepreneurs; (6) career-enhancing education; (7) women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics; (8) the care economy; and (9) addressing legal and social barriers to women’s economic empowerment. Activities may occur in the United States, South and Central Asian countries, or third countries.

This section establishes within the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs a Unit to oversee public-private partnerships described in section 4(a), led by a Special Advisor for Women’s Economic Security with the rank and status of Ambassador who reports to the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. The Special Advisor is appointed by the Secretary of State, including from existing Department of State officials serving in addition to their current roles. Relevant U.S. diplomatic and consular posts must designate a point of contact to identify and track private sector commitments related to those partnerships.

This section requires the Secretary of State to submit to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, not later than one year after enactment, a report that includes (1) a description of steps taken to implement the Act, including allocated personnel and funding; (2) the status of commitments and partnerships described in section 4(a); and (3) economic data on the impact of the work of the Unit authorized by section 5.