Actor and philanthropist Salma Hayek unveiled the documentary Humaira: The Game Changer, which chronicles the life of a Pakistani education advocate Humaira Bachal, at the Women’s Forum Global Meeting in Deauville, France.
The conference, which was attended by several female leaders in the fields of business, science, education and human rights, supported the mission to strengthen “women influence throughout the globe”.
Before screening the documentary, the After the Sunset actor spoke in great detail about her desire and mission to bring justice to women around the globe through her philanthropic efforts.
Humaira Bachal
Salma Hayek founded the ‘Chime for Change’ charity organisation with singer Beyonce and Frida Giannini, the creative director of Gucci, a year, ago. In just over a year the charity organisation has launched a film to ensure that the conversation about women’s rights remains current.
The documentary, Humaira: The Game Changer, follows Pakistani education advocate Humaira Bachal as she fulfils her dream of creating a ‘Dream Model Street School’ in the slums of Karachi, Pakistan, where education for girls is considered a taboo.
“The Dream School has changed the lives of hundreds of children. Every girl deserves to go to school, regardless of where she was born,” said Madonna, who appeared onstage with Humaira at the Sound of Change Live concert last year.
The singer further added, “Humaira is a freedom fighter. She is a hero for these girls and an example for all of us,” reported Daily Mail.
During an emotional moment in the new documentary, 28-year-old Humaira says, “It feels like we have moved from a site of ruins into a palace.”
The 18-room Dream Model Street School was completed in summer 2014, and includes a playground, library and computer lab. The school enables nearly 1,000 local girls and boys to pursue education, and provides job opportunities for local women as teachers and assistants.
According to Huffington Post, the documentary has been directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker; Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Chinoy who herself is a renowned human rights activist and documentary filmmaker won an Academy Award for her documentary film Saving Face.
The actor said that she was motivated to fight for women’s rights after witnessing a disturbing incident at the age of six. She recalled that she saw a man beating up his own wife, while walking down the streets in Mexico City with her parents.
When Salma’s father crossed the street to help the young lady, she started beating up her father, saying, “How dare you, he can do what he wants,” she told Daily Mail. Her Charity Chime for Change promotes education, health and justice for girls and women around the world.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2014.
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