An avalanche of emails heralded Penny Williams’ appointment yesterday as Australia’s first global ambassador for women and girls, with the sex discrimination commissioner, aid and affirmative action groups welcoming the move. A career diplomat and mother of four from Tasmania, Ms Williams will tackle gender inequality in the Asia Pacific, focus governments’ attention on the needs of women after wars and conflict, and ensure Australia’s aid dollars are helping to tackle maternal deaths and domestic violence. Her roaming diplomatic role kicks off this week, as the 47-year-old travels to San Francisco at the invitation of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

This is a syndicated post. Read the original at First ambassador for women calls on Australia to lead change.