by Gulrukh Tausif

Created on: March 01, 2012   Last Updated: May 03, 2012

Sharmeen Obaid Chenoy made history on 26th February, 2012, when she accepted the Oscar for her documentary “Saving Face” in the star studded 84th Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood. The 33-year old filmmaker from Karachi, Pakistan accepted the award for Documentary Short Subject along with co-director American filmmaker Daniel Junge.

The 52-minute documentary chronicles the journey of acid attack victims in Pakistan and the doctors and philanthropists working to help them. While accepting the award, Sharmeen Obaid dedicated the golden statue to "all the women in Pakistan who are working for change” and asked them not to give up on their dreams.

“Saving Face” highlights the plight of victims of worst form of domestic abuse, disfigurement and torture of helpless women by acid attacks mostly by their husbands.

Contrary to popular belief that such attacks take place only in poor and underdeveloped countries, acid violence is a worldwide phenomenon that is not restricted to a particular race, religion or geographical location though it occurs predominantly in South-East Asia, Africa, the West Indies and the Middle East. Women are also not the only victims as men, older women and children can also be attacked to avenge family feuds, take revenge for spurning or reporting sexual harassment or turning down marriage proposals.

The documentary is also a testament of the generosity and determination of people like Dr. Muhammad Jawad, a Pakistani born British plastic surgeon, who have dedicated their lives, resources and skills for the treatment and rehabilitation of these women.

Dr. Mohammad Ali Jawad is a plastic, reconstructive and burns surgeon who practices predominantly in London and throughout the United Kingdom. The surgeon first came into limelight after leading the pioneering team that treated acid attack victim Katie Piper in England. Now he divides his time between Pakistan and UK in an effort to restore looks, hope and dignity to the acid attack victims.

According to her website, Sharmeen Obaid Chenoy was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She received a bachelor’s degree from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and went on to complete two masters degree from Stanford University. She has made over a dozen award winning films in over 10 countries around the world. She is also the first non-American to be awarded the Livingston Award for best international reporting.

Making the documentary was not an easy task

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