UNA-NYC Hosts FilmTalk Screening of Shadows in Sunlight

Left to right: moderator Nyasha Laing, Founding Partner of Red Owl; Sheeba Afghani of UNICEF; and Mary Eileen Shackleton of the Rotary Club, Metro New York City.

On March 12, 2026, the United Nations Association of New York hosted a special installment of its FilmTalkUNA series, featuring an exclusive New York City screening of the documentary Shadows in Sunlight. The event brought together members and guests for a screening and panel discussion focused on the global effort to eradicate polio and the crucial role played by women health workers in Pakistan.

Presented in honor of International Women's Day and the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), the program highlighted the work of frontline vaccinators who help protect millions of children despite cultural resistance and security risks. The film follows the experiences of Ishrat Rahim, one of hundreds of thousands of women working across Pakistan to vaccinate children against polio while building trust within their communities.

Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations. The screening was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nyasha Laing, Founding Partner of Red Owl. Panelists included Sheeba Afghani of UNICEF and Mary Eileen Shackleton of the Rotary Club of Metro New York City. Together they explored the challenges of vaccine hesitancy, community engagement, and the global partnership working to eliminate polio.

The evening concluded with a reception, giving attendees an opportunity to continue the conversation and reflect on the film's themes of resilience, public health collaboration, and the power of grassroots leadership in advancing global health goals.