1000 women every year in Pakistan are killed in name of ‘honour’.
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy made history as the only Pakistani to win two Oscar awards.
“Change does not come overnight. I think it is important to keep pushing the envelope,” said Ms Obaid-Chinoy
Sharmeen was awarded the Oscar in the category Best Documentary – Short Subject for her documentary A Girl in the River, which follows the life of an 18-year-old girl who is a survivor of an honour killing attempt.
The film focusses on the attempted murder of a young woman from Pakistan’s Punjab who is shot in the face and thrown in a river by her father and uncle for marrying the man she wanted to. It has garnered praise in Pakistan and internationally, yet it has also led to criticism of Ms Obaid-Chinoy by some who claim that she is portraying a negative image of her country.
“This is what happens when determined women get together,” continued Sharmeen. “From Saba, the girl in my film who remarkably survived honor killing and shared her story, to Sheila Nevins, Lisa Heller from HBO and Tina Brown who supported me from day one. To the men who champion women, like Geof Bartz who has edited the film to Asad Faruqi, to my friend Ziad who brought this film to the government, to all the brave men out there like my father and husband who push women to go to school and work and who want a more just society for women!”
“This week the Pakistani PM said he would change the law on honor killing after watching this film — that is the power of film!” said Sharmeen in closing.
Sharmeen definitely caught the government’s attention with A Girl in the River — the film was screened at the PM House in Islamabad just last week. Following that, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that honour killing was a critical issue and voiced his government’s determination to eradicate this practice from society.
”Customs and practices such as honour killings have nothing to do with the divine principles and theories of Islam,” said Mr Sharif, “Women are the most essential part of our society and I believe in their empowerment, protection and emancipation of achieving the shared goal of a prosperous and vibrant Pakistan.”
Speaking at a showing of the film in the New York, Ms Obaid-Chinoy said that honour killings were a menace not just in Pakistan, but also India, Bangladesh, and nations in the Middle East. She said the practice was less about religion, ethnicity or nationality than it was about communities where women were victims of patriarchy. She said that honour killings also took place in some immigrant communities in the West and is planning screenings of the film in the UK.
Ms Obaid-Chinoy, who previously won an Oscar for her film ‘Saving Face’, said it was essential police and prosecutors pressed ahead with prosecuting such cases, despite the difficulties. She said if people were jailed for the killings, it may help create a deterrent, rather than the current climate of impunity.
Just a few hours before her win Sharmeen had stated in a Facebook post: “In just a few hours the team of A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness will walk the red carpet at the Oscars! Whether we win or lose today we should be very proud of the fact that this film has ignited a national discourse about honor killings in Pakistan and has spurred the government to work on tougher legislation! That achievement shows that we are maturing as a democracy and today I’m so very honored and humbled that we have been able to move the needle on this issue.”