Not many people are aware of the fact that everyone’s favourite television ‘chocolate-boy’ Osman Khalid Butt is one brilliant thespian. It’s after his success in Pakistan’s electronic media that the actor started being more visible on the screen than on the proscenium arch. Now, all of that has changed once again as Osman recently returned to the stage after a 3-year hiatus.
Raising awareness about violence against women, Osman joined hands with Momina Mustehsan, the executive director of Digital Rights Foundation Nighat Dad, Ambassador of Sweden Ingrid Johansson, actor and activist Mariyam Nafees, National Commission for Human Rights Pakistan Chairman Ali Nawaz Chowhan and Secretary to Ministry of Human Rights, Rabiya Javeri Agha; the singular aim was to promote women’s access to justice.
The Embassy of Sweden, the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, the UN Women and the Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy held a reading of the documentary play SEVEN in Islamabad on Monday.
SEVEN just arrived in Pakistan! Let's raise awareness on violence against women – follow #7onTourPakistan & join hands with senior govt officials, celebrities & human rights activists to promote women's access to justice #KnowYourRights #Access2Justice #EndVAW #16days pic.twitter.com/rf2sasEE1a
— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) November 20, 2017
SEVEN is a play based on the experiences of seven women’s rights activists from around the world, written by seven award-winning playwrights - Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith and Susan Yankowitz.
Osman told the story of Pakistani women’s rights activist Mukhtara Mai, who is known for her brave fight against her rapists.
Returned to the stage after 3 years with SEVEN. Couldn't have asked for a better comeback. So proud to be part of such an important play, and to tell Mukhtar Mai's story. https://t.co/q3HOZGM2bb
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) November 20, 2017
The objective of the performance was to promote women’s access to justice by increasing awareness and implementation of the existing legal framework on violence against women.
