KATHMANDU

Zonta Club Kathmandu organized screening of the movie ‘Chhapaak’ on Friday in Kathmandu to raise awareness to end the heinous crime of acid attack.

According to a press statement released by Zonta Club Kathmandu, more than 500 audiences from all walks of life were invited to watch the movie. The invitees also included individuals, shop owners who sell chemicals in their shops, acid attack survivors, members of Golden Z clubs and media.

“The screening of this movie is an attempt to raise awareness on the prejudice, negative attitudes and abuse that the acid attack survivors have to deal with. We are hopeful that this kind of awareness will eventually help end the stigma. We also want to raise awareness of the irresponsible and unauthorized buying and selling of acid,” the press statement quoted Meera Jyoti, President, Zonta Club of Kathmandu.

The movie is the story of heart-break and courage, based on the real life events of Laxmi Agarwal who was attacked with acid at age of 15, after she rejected the advances of a 32-year-old man. The movie shows the young woman’s struggles to rebuild her life following the attack. It also highlights the on-ground consequences that women face after surviving an acid attack in India as well as what happens afterwards, when their faces have been irreparably burnt. The horrific attack could not bring the acid attack survivor down. She founded Stop Sale Acid, a social initiative against the misuse of acid. The campaign gained nationwide support from all corners. In 2013, the Supreme Court of India ruled in her favor and issued a set of restrictions on the sale of acid in the country.

The courage of the acid attack survivor has won hearts with her indomitable spirit. Furthermore, the movie also shows how the acid attack survivor has risen up against all odds to be a spokesperson to eradicate the stigma related to acid attacks and also empower women who are going through the same struggle that she went through. Laxmi has received various awards for her campaign. She was also awarded the International Women of Courage Award in 2014 by the then-First Lady of USA Michelle Obama.

It further added the club has partnered with various organizations to advocate for the women- and girls-related causes. In the biennium 2018- 2020, Zonta Club Kathmandu placed special focus on ending child marriage. As part of its advocacy program, the club also partnered with the National Information Commission to spread information on women’s entitlements in both urban and rural areas.

Zonta Club Kathmandu is the 64^th member of Zonta International, a 100-year-old international organization with the mission of advancing the status of women by improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy. It comprises a membership of around 30,000 members in 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 67 countries.