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Breaking Free from the Chains of Injustice

Caitlin Cris Y. Reyes

ETHICS 1 – X1
19 February 2019

The documentary entitled “Saving Face” discusses and tackles the adversities of a
distinct event that is caused by men’s behavior toward women in the community of Pakistan.
The culture of men asserting what they want onto their wives without having any means of
healthy communication between the two is an alarming issue that is documented here. It
undermines the right of women to live a peaceful life without having any misfortune or a crime
done to them.

The story dives into the lives of women who were victims of a crime that has been
ongoing for some time. Unfortunately, nothing has been concretely established to give
punishment to the people who deserve it. Husbands and people of the community have been
throwing acid at mainly women, more specifically their wives and constantly getting away with
it. These people feel no remorse or even empathy towards the victims they have harassed.
Moreover, when questioned, they act and speak as if it was not their doing and completely
disregard the fact that something horrible happened to the victims. It is upsetting that these
crimes go unnoticed and men are acquitted in court whenever trials come on as it is considered
normal in their culture and no law recognizes it as a crime.

The way that their mores are taken is alarming. It seems to be a war between the
system and the culture. Men of the community think that punishment should be given to every
wrongdoing of their wives. This goes to show how the teachings in their society are inhumane.
They continuously assert their dominance over their partners who are incapable of defending
themselves as they are bounded by marriage. As a result, members of the community are
unfazed by the abuse. This reaches a point wherein they their harmful actions are blamed on
their spouses.

Their culture has caused women to be unsure of their future especially in marriage, or in
general with men. It has caused their lives and dignity to be ruined. Due to the appalling events
and their problematic search for justice, a look of defeat is to be seen in almost all their faces.
That is why it is relieving to see that they are starting to believe that despite the hardships, they
should seek justice. The way that Zakia fought back through a court case clearly delivers a
message to all the women to do what they can and should – that is to break the unfavorable
and disgusting behavior of the doers of the crime brought about by their mores.

It is important for us to empower women and help them realize their rights especially in
these sectors because of how broken the system and their culture are. As a moral being who
knows that hurting someone and stepping down on their rights to live is wrong, it is an
obligation to be a helping hand to achieve what they deserve. With women being looked down
upon since before, people have been giving in joint efforts in fighting for their rights. Surely in
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some cultures like this one, it will be a hard road to pave because of the beliefs of the people
and human morals crossing with each other. Despite this, they still need to be saved. They need
to know their rights. They need education. They need to be strong enough to fight for what
they should and for it to never be taken away from them. The system instilled in their culture
which is overly favored for men, and the harsh reality of women being oppressed with the
mindset of not having the means to fight back or have the justice that they deserve should be
ended.

It is saddening enough that women are being abused let alone the fact that they are
oppressed all the time. To see these women struggle to fight through, is enough to be a call for
help. They should never accept that there is nothing they can do in times like this, because
there is, something rightful and justifiable, and this award-winning documentary clearly shows
them how to do it.