ISLAMABAD: The United States Embassy on Wednesday in collaboration with the Islamabad Club hosted a panel discussion with students and experts on ending violence against women as part of its commemoration of ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence’. Minister Counselor for Public Affairs Kathryn Crockart welcomed the group. “The 16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women campaign focuses on the need for action from everyone— men and women, boys and girls, government officials, and community leaders—to end violence against women and girls around the world,” she said. Participants discussed the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in building resilient, democratic societies; supporting open and accountable governance; ending extreme poverty; and to furthering international peace and security. The event took place at the Islamabad Club, which hosts one of the US Embassy’s 19 Lincoln Corners. A Lincoln Corner is a resource centre and event space hosted in partnership with Pakistani institutions – in public libraries, universities, and cultural centers – that provides a platform for open dialogue between Pakistanis and Americans, promotes mutual understanding, builds prosperity, and strengthens people-to-people ties through various programmes. The Lincoln Corners’ programmes and resources attract students, academics, journalists, researchers and Pakistani youth. Published in Daily Times, December 7th 2017.