US diplomat Melanne to arrive Jan 4

Melanne S. Verveer, a top ranking American diplomat, will arrive here on January 4 on a three-day visit as part of the Obama administration's efforts to promote policies on women issues and peace and security in Bangladesh.
Besides, a US Congressio-nal delegation will also visit Bangladesh around the same time to see for itself the state of women's health, food security and other issues.
Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, will also visit Kathmandu after Dhaka, to meet with government, community-based, and civil society leaders involved in advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, and to promote US policy on women, peace, and security, according to an announcement by the US State Department.
During the visit, she will join a Congressional Delegation engaging with host country officials and non-government organisations (NGOs) on such issues as child marriage, maternal and child health, women's political and economic participation, gender-based violence, the role of women in climate change, and improving girls' access to education.