The National Commission on the Status of Women-Pakistan (NCSW) on Tuesday congratulated Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for receiving an Oscar Award for her documentary Saving Face, terming it an historic achievement.
The NCSW believed that it was the victory of not only an individual, but of a cause and movement to protect the rights and dignity of violence ridden women in the country that spanned over decades.
According to a statement, she had chosen a subject which was affecting thousands of women.
“Sharmeen has made the women of Pakistan proud and has given a powerful message to the women that they can reach the height of glory if they are provided with an enabling environment and encouraging space to best use their talent.”
It said every year scores of women and girls became direct victims of brutal acid attacks, resulting in disfigurement of their faces and in complete destruction of their lives.
“We hope that this achievement will contribute in addressing the problem and giving remedial help for the victims,” the NCSW statement said.
Separately, NCSW Communication Manager Tahira Noor alleged that women were prevented from voicing their opinions and were deterred from casting votes by Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) in the recent by-elections held in the cities of Mardan and Mianwali.
According to Dawn News, Tahira alleged that, “the political parties did not facilitate women and stopped them from casting their votes”.