WASHINGTON - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment Susan Markham will travel to Argentina and Paraguay October 19-26.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Markham will speak at the International Women's Forum Against Corruption at the School of Law, University of Buenos Aires. Her remarks will focus on how USAID works to increase gender equality and women's empowerment.

In Paraguay, Markham will travel to the northern region of the country where she will meet women leaders who are beneficiaries of USAID's Economic Growth and Water projects.  In Santani, Markham will visit the stands of women associations at the local Producers' Fair.  She will meet with Curuguaty Women's District Association, visit Community Water Council projects - including a Community Water Board led by women - And meet with students at Mbaracayu Educational Center for poor rural girls, including indigenous girls.  Finally, Markham will meet with key USAID Paraguay staff, high-level government officials, implementing partners, and U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay Leslie A. Bassett to discuss USAID's global work to prioritize gender equality and women's empowerment. To conclude her trip, Markham will attend a presentation on gender-based violence,a roundtable discussion on Civil Service and Gender, and meet with beneficiaries of the Effective Labor Inclusion project for People with Disabilities.