Panel discussion: Munter's wife, Obaid-Chinoy call for end to acid attacks

Dr Marilyn Wyatt asks attendees to work to end gender-based violence, specifically acid attacks.

ISLAMABAD: Dr Marilyn Wyatt, wife of US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, joined Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy in calling for an end to acid attacks and other violence against women during a panel discussion on Tuesday at the Higher Education Commission. 

The panel discussion, attended by an audience of more than 150 university students and officials from across Pakistan, was sponsored jointly by the Higher Education Commission, the Aurat Foundation and the Acid Survivors Foundation with the US support.

Applauding the efforts of the Pakistani legislature to pass acid attack legislation, Dr Wyatt asked the attendees to work to end gender-based violence, specifically acid attacks.

Dr Wyatt said, “The main objective of this event is to raise awareness among university age students about the devastating effects of acid attacks and acid crimes on Pakistani society. Pakistan’s youth demographic represents 60 percent of the nation’s citizenry, it is important that you sensitise yourself to this important issue so that your mothers, sisters, and daughters do not suffer from this gruesome crime.”

Dr Wyatt also noted that the US assistance helps empower Pakistani women through civil society, academia, and the government.

The panel featured Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Professor Hamid Hassan, a doctor who heads the burn unit at the Benazir Bhutto International Hospital in Rawalpindi; Dr Khadija Tahir, a psychotherapist who treats acid survivors; Barrister Naveed Muzaffar Khan, a barrister who defends victims of acid attacks; and representatives from the Acid Survivors Foundation and Aurat Foundation.