“I am not just a victim of acid attack, I am a woman as well. A man who disrespects a woman, can never be considered as a good human being,” said Suraiya Akhter Dolly from Mymensingh. She had a good family life comprising of six sisters, one brother and her parents. Her father was a farmer. Even after having to fend for such a big family, her father never neglected his children. His daughters were the apple of his eyes and he always referred to them as,” Ma”. Suraiya says,” While studying for long hours, we often used to fall asleep without eating anything. Our father then woke us up and fed us with his own hands.” Dolly used to study in a Madrasa (Islamic school). Often, in class or in the roads, quite a lot of people used to agitate her. Her new relatives also did the same. Dolly was annoyed by this sort of behavior and asked for her family’s help in order to solve this problem. Word spread quickly as a result of which, her agitators scared her more and even threatened to kidnap her. During this mayhem, Dolly was a student of class 8 in the Madrasa. At that time, a teacher’s relative who resided abroad asked for her hand in marriage. Her father was anxious that at the current state, it was possible for anything to happen to his daughter at any time. Out of fear of losing self-respect, he agreed to marry off his daughter. Therefore, in 2005, at the tender age of fourteen, Dolly got married to Monir Uddin. All was well for a few months after her marriage. Nine months later, her husband Monir Uddin returned to Saudi Arabia and came back after three months. At that time, Dolly was pressurized by her husband to bring money from her father and was even told that all her wedding ornaments would be sold off. Dolly even managed to bring some money from her father. But, without taking her permission, her husband sold her wedding jewelry. Later, it was discovered that Monir Uddin has become a drug addict. Her in-laws never raised their voices to protest against the torture that Dolly was being put through. In 2008, with her family’s permission, Dolly divorced Monir Uddin. After the divorce, Monir Uddin regularly threatened her and even told her that he would burn her into complete ashes. On the 1st of September, 2008, which was also Ramadan eve, Monir Uddin threw acid at her face. Dolly was severely affected by this. Water was used to subside her pain and she was taken to the hospital. She was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital from Mymensingh Medical College on that very night. She stayed in the hospital for a long time and with the help of her family, she soon regained her health. Her father’s savings were used up in order to pay for her treatment. Later, she came to Acid Survivors Foundation for further checkups. She lost one of her eyes and an ear due to acid violence. Her face, hands, throat and chest were burnt. However, this did not stop her. She said, “I am not a defeated soldier. I need to live a life worth living. I should learn to put aside my moments of frustration and shock in order to learn to dream again. I shall pray for that monster’s punishment and for justice to be served.” on the 9th of September, 2008, Dolly filed a case against Monir Uddin in the Gaforgaon police station. When adequate information was collected, the police took her statement. Dolly said, “I repeatedly received threats to withdraw the case. However, I simply said that the person who commits a crime and a person who tolerates that injustice, are both to be blamed and should be punished equally.” She also said that,” My father was disheartened to see me in such a miserable condition. He often cried by saying that he himself was responsible for ruining my life. This sorrow brought him to his death in 2010.” He was actively involved in Dolly’s case and ensured that every witness involved was brought to court. Dolly also said that the judge was a sensitive person. In 2011, the culprit was granted a life sentence and his bail was set at one lakh taka. Three months after the court’s ruling, the accused was caught and has been held in captivity since then. However, Dolly is yet to receive her money. She hopes for the complete implementation of this case in the hopes that corrupted minds can be corrected so that no one has to suffer from acid attacks. After the court’s decision, Dolly has started her life with new dreams. She was admitted to class 9 and successfully passed her SSC board exams. Alongside that, she works as an ambassador for acid survivors and uses her experience to rearrange the lives of similar victims by encouraging them. By working jointly with the Collective Development Union, she has fulfilled her job of being an ambassador. She is connecting with her brothers and sisters who have suffered from acid violence. By means of group and community meetings, she is trying to ensure that the survivors go back to living their old lives and is also trying to create a positive mindset in society about victims of acid attacks. She is trying to help in everyone’s development and well-being. She serves as an advocate regarding public and private sector support and by ensuring the government’s help. Dolly said that “Every month, we survivors arrange a meeting where we share our sorrows. We can talk freely here and plan for a better life ahead.” She also added, “We will earn our rights, become self-supporting and will be able to stand for ourselves by becoming self-independent. By keeping this vision in mind, we have formed a group of survivors. We hope and aspire to live as fulfilled human beings who are not neglected or looked down on by anyone.”

“When I want to stand straight holding all power of the earth Suddenly my rebellious mind becomes quiet Half of my soul searches for peace My burnt soul teaches me to taste the new life”

These lines are written by a self-motivated woman who did not stop even after being acid burnt. She is constantly struggling to make many disabled women self-sufficient. Her struggle started to save her soul after being burnt with acid.

In early 1996, at the age of only 14, Shamima, a student of class eight, had to marry a 35 year old man due to family pressure. According to her family, the bridegroom’s age was not a problem as he was a service holder. However, Shamima got frightened with her husband’s extreme sexual desire right from the wedding night and after terrible three days; she came back to her father’s home. She was again sent to in-law’s house, but yet again husband’s company made her scared. Shamima’s in-laws did not consider her mental condition; rather they teased her and said she might have affair. Shamima returned her home again. Rumors were spread in her native village too. In the middle of the tag of war between the two sides, Shamima’s husband threatened her of acid attack for revenge.

It was about 2 o’clock at night on 14 September 1996. Shamima was sleeping beside a window at her father’s house. Suddenly her whole face burnt like fire. After hearing her shouting, neighbors rushed towards her and caught her acid thrower husband red handed from a nearby symmetry. Initially Shamima was brought to Kotchandpur Hospital for instant treatment, and then transferred to Khulna Hospital after 1-hour treatment in Jhinaidah hospital. Her face, eyes, ears, nose, shoulder and hands were burnt with acid. It became more severe for not using water. She was brought home after 7-day treatment at Khulna. As her condition was getting worse day by day, her father somehow collected 80 thousand taka to send her to India for better treatment in 1997. After her return from 1-month’s treatment, she had serious infection in her body. It took much time to get well by local treatment.

Afterwards, Shamima started a new life. She got admitted in class nine and started receiving sewing training. She launched an organization named Oyikko Nari Kallyan Sangstha with 43 deprived women of her village, of whom 25 were physically disabled. They are given training for block, butik and sewing. These activities are carried out through their own society (Somiti). Shamima, president of this Jubo Unnayan Adhidapter affiliated organization, is continuing her studies at Open University side-by-side her official duties. A feature on Shamima’s success was published in Prothom Alo on 17 June 2005. Till then she did not know about ASF. Photographer Shafiqul Alam Kiron, who was with the acid survivors from the beginning, read the feature and went to Shamima’s house at Jhinaidah for publishing her photograph in British American Tobacco’s Calender. He advised her to go to ASF for treatment. After a long time, Shamima took treatment at ASF. Meanwhile she had two surgeries. More operation is needed.

Shamima’s family filed a case after the acid attack. The perpetrator has been sentenced to 43 years imprisonment. He is now at jail. Shamima wants to develop her organization as voluntary organization. She wants to show how to be a protestor and self-reliant to the acid burnts as well as physically disabled women who are left behind helplessly in the society. Shamima’s self-motivated life struggle is an enlightened example to hundreds of acid victim women.

Shamima Akter was born and raised in Naogaon, where she currently lives with her parents and four sisters in their neighborhood, Potnitala. Currently 19 years old, she was attacked with acid by her husband in 2011 over a dispute over whether or not Shamima would continue her studies as a married woman. Shamima’s devotion to her education was cause for contention with her husband, Shohidul, who would often even resort to violent means to persuade her to give up on her academic ambitions. Shamima, however, was determined to pursue her dream of joining the armed forces and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Camp. She refused to quit her studies on his behest and would suffer daily abuses, like beatings and verbal abuse. After repeatedly borrowing money from Shamima’s parents, Shohidul decided to retaliate at his wife and in laws by absconding with a large loan from them In the middle of the evening on May 25th 2012, Shamima woke up to find her husband sneaking out of the house, and to find that her face was quickly eroding off her skull. She ran to the bathroom and saw that her skin was falling off her face and that she was burning everywhere. Shamima’s mother bathed her wounds continuous with water in the hopes that the burning sensation would cool down. Shamima was brought to ASF on the day of her attack with 11% burn mostly affecting her forehead, face, eyes, nose, neck, right ear and left side of chest and both hands. She received four operations and was at the organization for two and a half months. However, undeterred by her husband’s acts, just 15 days after her attack Shamima went back to Potnitala to take her intermediate exams. As a result of the treatment she received at ASF hospital, Shamima’s vision was saved, her hearing was restored and she can function without the aid the support of a hearing aid, and lesion on face and neck were healed without major scar and contracture. Shamima still has post burn contracture on her neck and lower part of her chin and visible scar on her face for which she will require more surgical interventions in the next few years. The day after the attack, Shamima’s father filed a case against Shohidul at the Pitnitala Police Station, where the local police paid no heed to his complaints. The day after, Shamima was taken to a local hospital in Fakshahi to receive intensive treatment. Looking to BRAC for aid, Shamima’s father filed a complaint with the legal department at BRAC on behalf of Shamima and the misconduct and neglect of her case at Potnitala Police Station. BRAC accompanied Shamima’s family to petition the village Chairman and the District Commissioner’s office to get her case filed. As a result, the officer in charge at Potnitala Police Station was reprimanded and punished for neglecting his oversight duties to Shamima’s case. 15 days later Shohidul was caught in Uttara, Dhaka. Later he was let out on bail. Investigations into the case yielded many points of illumination: Shohidul was in touch with one of Shamima’s neighbors to collect surveillance information while he was away on Shamima and her whereabouts. He also arranged to steal Shamima’s cell phone; he bought the acid he used on Shamima from a gold jeweler. His crime represents one of cold-hearted calculation and foresight; no crime of passion, Shamima’s husband deliberately and methodically planned to ruin her life by leaving her horribly disfigured. As Shamima continues with treatment and rehabilitation, she struggles with trying to remember that her attacker is behind bars; the scars he left behind, however, is a constant reminder of the threat and damage he represents. Nowadays, Shamima has taken to artistic pursuits to help her recover her sense of self and agency—always singing, dancing, and writing poems, Shamima is a creative person who’s talents have not been stifled by the trauma she has endured.

Rupali was a girl of 14 years in 2003 and lived in Moksudpur, Sherpur. She had to refuse the marriage proposal of her cousin. Later she was married off to someone else. So, her cousin took a revenge on her. Just after 2 days of marriage he threw acid to her. Rupali was brought to Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) Hospital and after a prolonged treatment she was sent home. Her father filed a case in court and the defendant was sentenced to death for the crime. Rupali faced some challenges corresponding to this incident. People around her hardly took her normally. They used to verbally abuse her, were not much friendly to her. She was not very well even in her family too. That’s why she used to cover her face to get out. She intended to turn around from all the odds. Facilitated by ASF bio-psycho-social support she starts working in a renowned beauty parlor called Persona in 2006. She becomes experienced in different haircut, eyebrow pluck, facials, manicure and pedicure, applying henna, hair bleaching, body massage spa and other beautification during her work in here for ten years. With her experience and innovation she establishes a beauty parlor of her own in Mirpur and names it ‘Rupali Spa and Beauty World’. She runs her business with all her skills and dedication and achieves goodwill in the locality. Establishing this parlor was never easy for her. The inhabitants were not happy to let her run a business in the residential area. They didn’t allow her to fit the signboard. She took time to talk with them, particularly with the owner of the place. She later convinced them. She later was able to establish good vicinity for ladies in her parlor. A parlor should have an environment so that women and girls feel secured. Now Rupali lives in Dhaka with her husband and 2 children. She is quite known to her neighborhood and participates in the social gatherings regularly. She thinks at last she is able to set her in the mainstream of the life.

Whether it is the best Thai cuisine in town, the roadside fuchka or simply mother’s home-cooked dinner, we all have our periodical cravings for our favorite food. Such was the case for 21-year-old Popy Rani Das, until she took a leap into the wrong direction in life. The malicious trap of marriage seized not only a little happiness that remained in Popy’s life but also her ability to eat and drink her to satisfy her taste buds. Prior to her birth, her parents had filed for a divorce and her father passed away when she was only 5 years of age. Like many other rural areas in Bangladesh, young-aged marriages have been the popular culture in Kishoreganj too. In January 2009 at the age of 21, as a medical technician at Jahirul Islam Hospital in Gazipur, Popy got married to a young goldsmith named ProdipBanik. Banik, hungry for dowry would abuse his wife day in day out. Within 8 months, their marriage had gone sour.

On September 7, 2009, Popy, who had been suffering of a severe fever, had simply requested her husband for a glass of water. The egregious acts that followed, is beyond justifiable. Taking a gulp from the glass of water that she had thought would appease her thirst and save her life had in reality been a gulp into acid that demolished her life. At consumption, an instantaneous sensation of uneasiness ran down Popy’s esophagus. Unsure of the situation and consequences, Popy gradually lost consciousness. At the news of her unconsciousness, her beloved mother and aunt did not pay much attention believing that it was simply a consequence of her fever. Only after three days had passed, her mother, overwhelmed by the realization of what had happened, took her to the Jahirul Islam Hospital, where she as an employee, received free treatment.

Soon after, she moved to the Acid Survivors Foundation where she, till date continues to receive free-of-charge treatment as well as accommodation. In dismay, Popy says, “This feeling of perpetual thirst cannot be quenched; I cannot drink water.” 1 A completely burnt throat and esophagus has left Popy to depend on mashed food provided to her through an incision made in her abdomen. Through an education initiative that ASF had taken on board after the termination of her treatment, Popy was enrolled into grade 9 under the Open University, spending a total of BDT 30, 000 as IGA support. This effort, however, became a futile attempt as a result of physician’s recommendation that Popy remains at ASF and refrained from movement due to her incision. This has also imposed a social barrier on Popy, acting as an interruption in terms of engaging in proper employment despite her expertise in sewing, handicrafts and henna art. Her excellence and talent in this field have permitted her to be serving as the trainer and instructor of the Sewing and Handicrafts training sessions for the fellow survivors, which is organized under the Income Generating Project at ASF, through the financial contributions made by the King Baudouin Foundation, a Belgium based Donor Agency.

As an artistic individual Popy has also excelled in the music and art therapy sessions that she receives at ASF. The post-incident trauma that Popy had encountered along with the additional burden of societal discrimination had made it an arduous process for her to be accepting of the situation. Nonetheless, Popy has shown a positive response to the therapy sessions and has made notable progress in terms of physical health and psychological conditions.

Marital life is often associated with affection and pleasure, yet for many individuals, such as Popy, that life has taken such a bearing on the prosperous future they could perhaps be living, that there is no turning back. Popy does not long for an opulent life; the fight for survival remains the greatest fight in her life. For further treatment it is essential for Popy to travel to Australia, however, the exorbitant costs that are entailed with her case have

acted as a hitch to further progress. As a further encumbrance to Popy’s case, a lack of prompt action by the police despite a lawsuit being filled, Banik has left to freely wander the streets, perhaps as a potential threat to many other women and a motivation to many such men.

Acid abuse cases, in regards to the failure of fulfilling dowry requirements or simply a refusal to relationship advancements, have been very common in Bangladesh. The high number of incidents like Popy’s is most remorseful, as the perpetrators are not held accountable for their sinful and heinous actions. Little to no interest on behalf of the authoritarian bodies has left this nation as an open invitation for such crimes to continue.

We the people, along with the policymakers and other authoritarian bodies of Bangladesh, must take a stand against the perpetrators and put an end to this battlefield; to make all our citizens feel protected and sheltered within the borders of their own motherland.