Can Films Help Stop Violence Against Women?

Senator (r) Iqbal Haider

 

After a long time Pakistan has reasons to rejoice. To receive Oscar is an unprecedented honour received by Pakistani Director Sharmeen for her film “Saving Face”. By any standard, it is a great historic achievement that shall always be cherished with pride by the nation. The Academy Award has no doubt improved image of Pakistan in the comity of nations. Sharmeen, Dr. Wajid and other members of their team deserve all the compliments and appreciations from all section of our society. Our Prime Minister was equally delighted. He did not waste any time in rightly announcing the highest civilian award to Ms. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. Our Sindh Assembly promptly offered heartfelt felicitations to Ms. Sharmeen, her team and film on winning the Oscar. I am sure, had the Senate or National Assembly been in Session, they would have also paid rich tribute on this historic achievement. The cause that is projected by Sharmeen is commendable. Defacing of women by acid is a rampant menace in Pakistan. The film will definitely promote awareness against the curse of acid attacks in our society.


In the past couple of decades, several documentaries have been skilfully made by Pakistani Directors on various issues of violence against women. To name a few are “Who will Cast the First Stone”, “Hawa Kay Naam / For A Place Under The Heavens”. BBC has also produced more than one documentary to highlight the rising incidents of honor killings in Pakistan. We don’t have a dearth of NGOs who have been consistently voicing condemnation against all forms of violence against women. Numbers of such incidents have been broadcast virtually every day by our electronic media. People from most walks of life are rightly and forcefully expressing their concern against these horrible practices continuing in Pakistan without any check or restraint.


Despite all the hue and cry by most sections of our society, the irrefutable shameful fact is that on 2^nd August 1999, Senate of Pakistan refused to condemn Honour Killing. Situation in National Assembly was even worst as the very discussion on this issue was not allowed in November 2003. Since, then I don’t know of any Houses of Parliament or Assembly passing any Resolution in strong substantive terms against such barbaric practices and uncontrolled incidents of violence against women. Regrettably even our Supreme Court last year dismissed Appeal of Mukhtara Mai, one of the highly publicized but the worst victim of gang rape. Consequently all the rapists went scot free.


I hope the Prime Minister while conferring award on Sharmeen, announces effective administrative measures to provide some relief and redress to the victims Sharmeen has highlighted in her film. The Federal and Provincial Government must also control such incidents of violence against women and ensure arrest, prosecution and punishment of the culprits. Only then would I feel satisfied that the object of the film has been achieved, if it results in improvement of the ground realities.