Way back in 2013 in India, there was a very public rape and murder case where four of the perpetrators were hung for their brutal crime. And rightly so. However, while that was going on, and rape was highlighted, the perhaps even more disgusting crime of attacking someone by throwing acid on their face was hidden away from public view.
The punishment for throwing acid on someone’s face and disfiguring them for life was treated in pretty much the same way as pickpocketing.This crime still goes on today, and over the past five years alone there have been more than 1,10o cases of acid attacks, more than 200 attacks a year. The majority of these repulsive attacks were made by men (often from the same family) whose interest in a woman was not reciprocated, and out of spite and malice, they decided their “revenge” would be to use acid in an attack. The mere thought of committing such a repulsive crime only goes to prove that the woman was absolutely right to tell the man to leave her alone.
A group of journalists wanted to highlight the attacks and bring about a change n the law, and so they founded the CHHANV Foundation, which helps survivors of acid attacks rehabilitate into normal life, sometimes after spending years in hospital. Led by Alok dixit, and aided by a team of organisers and administrators, CHHANV has won numerous awards for the work the organisation carries out.
Our sister YouTube channel, The Digest managed to speak to a number of incredibly inspiring women who have suffered at the hands of acid attackers, and have not only got through the ordeal, but help others do the same. Listen to their incredible story, and hear the determination and grit these fighters have. As an interviewer, I found it truly humbling.
You can follow the Sheroes at Sheroes Hangouts, and for more info on the CHHANV Foundation go to https://www.chhanv.org and you can donate here: bit.ly/smilegoalhai