Was broke after the incident, now feeling empowered at my workplace, says a survivor
Was broke after the incident, now feeling empowered at my workplace, says a survivor
“The sharp attack ruined my life,” said Nasreen, who was dumped by her husband in 2007 after her husband, against whom she filed a divorce case for domestic violence, assaulted her. Did. She roamed the streets of Jama Masjid, struggling to sustain herself. “I’ve slept in places you can’t even walk,” she said.
Life changed for the better when the Delhi High Court appointed Nasreen and she could afford a roof over her head.
In 2017, the Delhi High Court awarded contractual employment to five acid attack survivors and a transgender man after highlighting their struggles before the then Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal. The Delhi State Legal Services Authority had proposed to find job opportunities for acid attack survivors and the court’s decision enabled the six women to live with dignity.
Mamta, 31, worked in a beauty parlor before her husband threw acid on her face within weeks of their wedding in 2010. He was unhappy with the dowry brought from his ancestral home. After struggling for seven years to find a job, she was finally appointed as a help desk assistant in the High Court five years ago.
“At work, I interact with many people who inspire me. This incident left me shattered, but I feel empowered to find recognition at my workplace,” said Ms. Mamta, who recently I got married again.
However, he is yet to get justice. “The accused continues to live freely, while I am still living with the trauma and Struggling to look at myself in the mirror,” she said.
Justice Geeta Mittal told Hindu That acid attack victims and transgender persons are the most excluded community in the society. “Since representation matters, we must actively create a safe space for them and provide them with more such opportunities,” she said.
Ms Mittal said that the state should bear the cost of treatment of acid attack survivors. “It is difficult for them to survive without help. Efforts should be made to give them a place of power so that the feeling of ‘injustice’ can be removed.
28-year-old Sapna was battling acid attack injuries when she was in class XI and had to drop out of school due to emotional and physical trauma. Later she completed her education and joined Karkardooma Court Where his life got a new meaning. he is now married and has Two year old daughter. He is able to afford the rent and other basic amenities from his salary.
financial empowerment
Sahar Nazir, 27, a legal researcher and acid attack survivor in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, said financial independence for women is a must to fight such crimes. “The treatment is expensive and women lose their jobs because of social conditioning. The government should create maximum employment opportunities for them and allocate jobs according to their capacity. Since many survivors are abandoned by their families, a job in hand helps them bear the cost of legal and treatment,” she said.
Most of the acid attack survivors are young girls and women who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are unable to complete their education, said Ashish Shukla, 31, director of Chhaon Foundation, an organization that helps rehabilitate victims.
His NGO trains victims in English language, technology and finance and prepares them for jobs. “Most of the survivors opt for vocational training for a living. This year we have several companies contacting us to hire survivors; Hope for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Another court-appointed acid attack survivor, 28-year-old Shobha, said she had to face rejections several times before getting a job in the court. “In 2009, when I was in class X, my brother’s friend threw acid on my face over a marriage proposal in which I was not interested,” she recalled of the tragic incident.
Babli, a 34-year-old wheelchair attendant in court with acid attack survivors, was abandoned by her family after she came out as a transgender man in 2010. “Earlier, I had to perform at events while working as a housekeeper. Help as long as I could sustain myself. But now times have changed and I am honored for my work.”
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India registered 105 cases of acid attack against 109 female victims in 2020.