US Consulate General Public Affairs Officer Brinille Ellis joined scholars, human rights advocates, police, and students at a panel discussion on gender-based violence and reaffirmed the US government's commitment to prevent violence against women and girls.
The Lahore College for Women University Gender Studies Department hosted the event. The expert panellists included Hadia Awan, Principal of Punjab Law College and specialist in gender equity law; Fozia Waqar, Director of Advocacy and Communications at the NGO Shirkatgah Resource Center; and Bushra Aziz, Station Head Officer of Women's Police Station in Lahore.
The panel focused on gender issues in Pakistan and strategies to end violence against women. December 10 is the last day of the "16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence," an international campaign supported by the US State Department to help raise awareness of women's rights world-wide, to promote gender equity and to end gender-based violence. "Today, December 10, is also International Human Rights Day, which marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We must not forget that women's rights are human rights and every individual on this planet deserves to be treated with respect, honour, and dignity," said Public Affairs Officer Brinille Ellis in opening remarks.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has emphasised that the United States believes that investing in women and girls is one of surest ways to achieve economic progress, political stability, and greater prosperity. Ellis said, "That's why I'm delighted to be here today to take part in this discussion about ways we can work together to help Pakistani women and girls lift up their families, their communities, and their nation."-PR
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