Summary:
Director Bethany Kozma joined fellow leaders from the hemisphere in Washington, D.C. to advance women's economic rights across the Americas.
Director Bethany Kozma represented the United States at the 40th Assembly of Delegates of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), held May 27–29, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
The CIM, founded in 1928, operated under the Organization of American States (OAS) and is the world's first intergovernmental body created specifically to advance women's rights. It brings together ministers, senior officials, international organizations, and civil society representatives from across the Western Hemisphere. This year's Assembly focused on three priority areas: “women's labor participation and employment,” “women’s financial inclusion,” and “women’s digital inclusion.”
Director Kozma advocated for policies that enhance women's full participation in the economy across the Americas and elevated the invaluable role of mothers in shaping our societies and economies.
On the margins of the Assembly, Director Kozma held bilateral meetings with senior officials from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago to advance dialogue on women's economic opportunity and family policy.
The United States joined member states in reaching consensus on Declaration of the XL Assembly of Delegates— “Women’s Economic Rights in the America’s: Policies and Strategies to Guarantee Autonomy and Negotiating Power” reaffirming commitments to advance women's economic rights across the Americas. The declaration promotes measures to strengthen women's labor, financial, and digital inclusion; expand access to decent work and financial resources; and support care policies — priorities that align closely with HHS's mission to support women and families. The Assembly also presented two regional model laws designed to help states close structural gaps: the Model Law on Labor Inclusion and the Promotion of Women's Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership, and the Model Law on Women's Financial Inclusion.
HHS OGA's participation reflects the Department's commitment to global cooperation on issues that directly affect the health and wellbeing of women, mothers, and families. Women's economic empowerment is closely linked to improved outcomes in health, nutrition, family stability, and access to care — areas central to HHS's mission. The United States is proud to collaborate internationally on approaches that give women real opportunity and leverage in the workforce and at home.
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