KARACHI: SOC Films, led by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has launched a new documentary, Across Every Doorway, to mark World Polio Day on October 24, 2026.
The documentary follows four women working in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Islamabad, offering an intimate look at the people whose persistence, courage and commitment continue to support Pakistan’s efforts against polio.
Through stories from communities, campaign oversight and laboratory testing, Across Every Doorway examines the work behind protecting children from polio. The film highlights efforts to overcome vaccination refusals, counter misinformation, build trust and track the virus, often in difficult and uncertain circumstances.
“Behind every door is a family, a conversation, and a child whose future deserves to be protected,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder and CEO of SOC Films.
“Across Every Doorway tells the stories of the extraordinary women working tirelessly to protect children from polio, often in the face of immense challenges. From doorsteps to communities to laboratories, their determination is what drives this effort forward. Through this film, we want to honour their courage, bring visibility to their often unseen work, and remind the world that the responsibility to protect every child belongs to all of us,” she said.
In Karachi, the documentary follows Fouzia Ahmed, a Union Council Area Supervisor with the WHO Polio Programme, as she prepares vaccination teams, engages local officials and visits households reluctant to vaccinate their children. A mother herself, Fouzia brings professional resolve and personal conviction to her work, while supporting colleagues who face insults, misinformation and concerns for their safety.
In Rawalpindi, Dr Shumaila Akbar, an Area Coordinator with the WHO Polio Programme, provides campaign oversight by monitoring activities, verifying standards and identifying gaps. Her story also reflects the determination required to navigate expectations around women’s roles while working irregular hours and travelling for her responsibilities.
In Peshawar, Laiba Ijaz, a Community Health Worker in Union Council Lahori, works to ensure that no child is missed, including newborns and children from families who have recently moved into the area. After leaving school to support her family when her father became ill and later passed away, Laiba’s journey shows how work undertaken out of necessity developed into a commitment to serving her community.
In Islamabad, Dr Riqba Akhtar, a Virology and Immunology Laboratory Scientist, demonstrates how environmental and human samples are tested for traces of the poliovirus. Her work links scientific surveillance with field action, providing findings that help inform campaign oversight and the wider eradication effort.
The documentary also looks at how mistrust, online rumours, social pressures and operational challenges affect vaccination campaigns. It highlights efforts to secure support from doctors, religious leaders and local authorities, showing how sustained dialogue can help change minds and open doors.
Announced on World Polio Day, Across Every Doorway honours the women carrying Pakistan’s polio eradication work forward and invites audiences to consider the human effort behind protecting every child. The film closes with the message: “Every drop counts. Every child matters. That is why we keep going.”
