HYDERABAD: US Consul General (CG) in Karachi Grace Shelton handed over equipment and vehicles worth approximately Rs7 million on Wednesday to the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Hyderabad, Khadim Huss­ain Rind, at the recently established Hyderabad Women Protec­tion Centre.

According to a press release, the support is part of the US State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funding to strengthen Sindh police’s initiative to establish dedicated women protection cells in Sindh and improve access to justice for women.

Speaking on the occasion, the US diplomat said that “access to justice is a universal right. We applaud the Sindh government and its police for their focus on protecting women’s rights in rural Sindh by opening these women protection cells. The US hopes it can further assist and contribute to their success.”

Later in the day, the CG congratulated 50 students at a graduation ceremony in Hyderabad. The students were part of a six month-long “English Works” programme funded through Mission Pakistan’s Regional English Language Programmes Office. It is designed to enhance business communication skills — including professional-level English — to improve employment and educational prospects, and in many cases, their ability to support their families.

Addressing the ceremony, she said: “The US is proud to empower youth in Sindh by developing English skills. Today, it has been wonderful to hear how many of you have achieved success through what you have learned in English Works. I am proud of you and wish you the best in further accomplishments.”

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2017