Recently, I had the opportunity to ask her about progress being made to advance women's rights, the hallmarks of successful programs and what the business community can do to grow women's leadership and open more doors to opportunity.

We must view the progress of the water and sanitation MDGs through a gendered lens. It is easily understood that the need for safe water is universal, a necessity for every man, woman and child. Sanitation conditions are still largely seen as private and taboo.

In 1992, many people regarded AIDS with fear, deeming it "the gay man's illness." But Mary Fisher, as someone who was told to count her days left to live, courageously addressed the nation, knowing of the stigma that could potentially haunt her for a lifetime.

The women of Vital Voices show that you cannot let obstacles big or small keep you down. The women and their stories taught me that you cannot use your past or circumstance to hide behind.

If we are successful at mainstreaming gender and valuing women and girls, we will have better outcomes across the board.

Women stand at the center of every type of dramatic change occurring in the world today: whether it's coordinating relief in Japan, consolidating democracy in Egypt or running Facebook.

Ambassador Melanne Verveer coordinates foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic and social advancement of women around the world.