In January 2012 Newsline profiled Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and chronicled her filmmaking career.

In February we wished her the very best as she headed for the 2012 Oscars in Los Angeles.

Today we thank her for taking Pakistan centre stage for all the right reasons and for her inspiring speech (quoted below) as she accepted the 2012 Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject) for Saving Face.

“To all the heroes working on the ground in Pakistan, including Dr Mohammad Jawad, who is here with us today — the plastic surgeon working on rehabilitating all these women. Rukhsana and Zakia, who are the main subjects of the film, whose resilience and bravery in the face of such adversity is admirable, and to all the women in Pakistan who are working for change, don’t give-up on your dreams — this is for you.”