Saving Face – Acid Violence against Women in Pakistan

Every year in Pakistan, many people – the majority of them women – are known to be victimized by brutal acid attacks, while numerous other cases go unreported. With little or no access to reconstructive surgery, survivors are physically and emotionally scarred. Many reported assailants, often a husband or someone else known by the victim, receive minimal if any punishment from the state.

Saving Face chronicles the lives of two acid-attack survivors in Pakistan, Zakia and Rukhsana, as they attempt to bring their assailants to justice and move on with their lives. The women are supported by NGOs, skilled doctors, and empathetic policymakers such as the Acid Survivors Foundation-Pakistan, plastic surgeon Dr. Mohammad Jawad who returns to his home country to assist them, attorney Ms. Sarkar Abbass who fights Zakia’s case, and female politician Marvi Memon who advocates for new legislation. Zakia is a 39-year old woman who had acid thrown on her by her husband after filing for divorce. She strives to find justice, alleviate pain and restore functioning and features to her face. Rukhsana is a 23-year old woman who was attacked by her husband and in-laws and forced to reconcile with them.

Watch the trailer:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQscuAUIFnU]

Go to the site: Saving Face and see, among other things, the viewer’s guide which introduces audiences to critical issues pertaining to acid violence.