US Congresswoman Julie Johnson has introduced the EMPOWER Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at strengthening women's economic security across South and Central Asia as a core component of American foreign policy. The bill, announced on Tuesday, 13 May, seeks to embed women's economic advancement into the United States' broader regional stability objectives.

What the EMPOWER Act Proposes

The legislation formally establishes US policy to promote "women's economic security and advancement in South and Central Asia as an integral part of our foreign policy objectives in the region." It would direct the Secretary of State to maintain and expand existing women's councils and public-private partnerships involving governments, businesses, civil society groups, and universities.

Among the key partnerships named in the bill are the US-Pakistan Women's Council, the US-India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowerment, and the Alliance for Afghan Women's Economic Resilience. The legislation also calls for the creation of a dedicated unit within the State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, to be led by a Special Advisor for Women's Economic Security reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.

Key Findings Behind the Bill

The bill's findings section underscores the scale of the challenge. Women make up approximately 33% of South Asia's labour force — among the lowest female labour force participation rates in the world. According to the legislation, achieving gender parity in employment could increase South Asia's GDP by between 19% and 58%.

Congress found, per the bill's text, that "women's full and unfettered political, economic, and social participation is vital to realising universal human rights, global prosperity, peace, and security." Women's labour force participation, asset ownership, and economic security are described as "development multipliers" that promote family financial resilience, educational attainment, and poverty reduction.

What Congresswoman Johnson Said

Announcing the bill, Johnson tied the legislation to both global development goals and her own constituency. "We know that women's labor force participation, asset ownership, and economic security are key drivers of poverty reduction and long-term stability, including in South and Central Asia. North Texas is home to a large and vibrant South and Central Asian community, and the connections between our region and that part of the world make this work even more meaningful," she said.

Johnson also used the occasion to criticise the current administration's approach to international engagement. "While the Trump administration has pursued a reckless culture war at the expense of our national security interests, Congress must remain committed to smart investments in global stability," she said. She added that the bill "strengthens the public-private partnerships and policy efforts of the State Department, reaffirming our commitment to advancing women's economic mobility, employment, entrepreneurship, and access to education around the world."

Areas of Focus and Support

The EMPOWER Act outlines a broad range of areas eligible for support, including women's financial inclusion, mentorship opportunities, asset ownership, scaling women-owned businesses, procurement access, educational opportunities, and support for women in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

This comes amid growing bipartisan concern in Washington over the long-term consequences of reduced US engagement in South Asia, particularly following the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Whether the bill advances through a divided Congress remains to be seen, but its introduction signals continued legislative interest in the region's development trajectory.