Ambassador Olson lauds Pakistani Police Officers combating Gender-Based Violence

Islamabad, December 05, 2013 (PPI-OT): U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson presented closing remarks at a law enforcement conference of Pakistani policemen and policewomen that discussed taking a stand against violence. The conference commemorates the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign. Honourable Judge Jazeela Aslam and gender activist Maliha Hussein gave presentations to raise awareness about laws in Pakistan designed to protect women and girls against violence.

Female and male law enforcement officers discussed the laws and court rulings pertaining to sexual harassment and acts of violence against women.

In his remarks, Ambassador Olson said, “In your duties as law enforcement officers, you work together and prove that female colleagues deserve the same respect, training, and career advancement as men. As Mohammad Ali Jinnah said, ‘No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side-by-side with men.’ Keeping Pakistan safe is a tremendous contribution to your country. As law enforcement officers, all of you, especially female officers, play an important role in protecting women and girls from violence.”

Every year, men and women throughout the world observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in an effort to counter gender based violence that continues to span the globe.

The 16 Days campaign focuses on different forms of violence faced by women and girls and the impact it has on them and society as a whole. This week, the U.S. Embassy also hosted a panel discussion for university students and held a workshop with school children about preventing violence against women.

For more information, contact:
Alberto Rodriguez
Spokesman
Information Office Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Cell: +92300 501 2640
Tel: +9251-208 0000
Fax: +9251-227 8607
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov