Acid violence: Music video highlights plight of victims

Launch Ceremony of Saheli held

ISLAMABAD:

A music video intending to sensitise the general public and the youth in particular about acid violence was launched at Lok Virsa on Saturday evening.

The event was a collaboration between Acid Survivor’s Foundation (ASF) Pakistan, Group Development Pakistan, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), and AVAWG Alliance with the support of the Delegation of the European Union (EU).

“I am honoured to be a part of this campaign and contribute to create a social change, which this video will make. After meeting acid survivors and seeing their courage and struggle, I felt very small and I genuinely want to contribute to do something for them and the future generation of women who we must protect from such an ordeal,” said Asrar, the singer of Saheli.

Naila, an acid survivor who is now a caregiver and counsellor working for ASF, said she could only survive through the suffering due to the support of her family. “I feel honoured that ASF felt I was worthy enough to take up a position and contribute towards helping and motivating other women who have been through similar experiences,” she added.

“Using a music video to create awareness is a great idea because music has the potential to resonate with the minds of people and create a lasting impact,” said MNA Marvi Memon.

She also stressed that beyond creating laws in the parliament, we need to educate and create awareness among women and tell them that it is their right to raise their voice against injustice and it is their right to do so.

Valerie Khan Yusufzai co-chair of EVAWG Alliance and chairperson Acid Survivors Foundation, said that ASF alone cannot take away the credit for the law made to protect acid victims. “We have various organisations that help us, members of the parliament, prominent representatives of civil society and even the leaders of the religious communities who agree with our idea. It is with all their support that we are able to do deliver,” she said.

While speaking about the procedure in which to get in touch with ASF, Valerie said that even though we try our best to help every
victim through our diverse referral system, at the end of the day it is the state’s responsibility and the state must not ignore it.

While quoting the figure, Valerie said that there were around 153 reported cases of acid victims in 2014. She highlighted that these are the reported case but over the years the reporting has become very close to accurate and an overall estimate is around 200.

“FIRs are being registered and they have increased over the years, which is a positive sign and success of the law that has been initiated”, she said.

While concluding the event, Memon said that we need to ensure that women know that they should not compromise cruelty and unjust acts. “The rights of women are in the constitution but at the same time they are present in the religion and women are not alone, there are organisations and parliaments with you on this issue,” she said.

The video was developed and conceptualised by ASF and Group Development Pakistan with direction and production by Black Box Sounds. The song was written by Irfan Ahmed Urfi and composed and performed by emerging local artist Absar, while the video is directed by Aftab Abbasi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2015.