“It’s extremely important to have this transfer of skills,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the filmmaker who co-directed the Academy Award-winning documentary. The film follows two Pakistani survivors of acid attacks, Zakia and Rukhsana, highlighting the challenges they face in recovery and in achieving justice. It also features plastic surgeon Dr. Mohammad Jawad, who returned to his home country of Pakistan to help acid attack victims.

During the conversation following the film screening, Obaid-Chinoy stressed the importance of telling stories of ordinary individuals who courageously speak out against human rights abuses. “At the end of the day, they are the heroes,” she said. “By telling their stories, they have empowered hundreds of women who have been victims.”

The discussion was moderated by Kathleen Kuehnast, the director of USIP’s Gender and Peacebuilding Center. Kuehnast noted that USIP programs have shown that broad dialogue among all stakeholders is necessary to confront human rights abuses and re-knit societies following violent conflict.

Obaid-Chinoy agreed, saying that violence against women is “a problem that can only be solved if we bring everyone on board” and include schools, clerics, the government, and others in the discussion.

“We are lucky to have started a conversation that can continue in many countries,” she said.

The Institute’s Pakistan program organized and hosted the event, as part of its effort to convene influential Pakistani and American speakers to discuss this strategically important country. 

Explore Further

• Learn more about USIP's work in Pakistan
• Learn more about USIP's Center for Gender and Peacebuilding
• Read a USIP On the Issues with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
• Read the Special Report, "Moving Forward with the Legal Empowerment of Women in Pakistan"
• Read the Peace Works, "Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding"