Acid attack survivors take to ramp to celebrate womanhood
Their faces and bodies may bear the ugly scars of acid attack, but their determination to overcome the stigma and have a dignified existence hasn't been dented. Several women acid attack survivors tried to spread this message as they walked the ramp at a fashion show in Maharashtra's Thane to sensitize people to stop such crimes and launch a campaign against illegal acid sale.
Scars, a reminder of the narrow-minded approach of society
Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor who speaks for the rights of women and those who have gone through a similar ordeal, said her scars are a reminder of the society's narrow-minded approach, but her grit and determination to live keeps motivating her every day. She was at the fashion show held at Thane's Viviana Mall on the eve of the Women's Day.
It's challenging to start everything for an acid attack survivor
"As an acid attack survivor, it was and it is a challenge to start everything from zero. It's difficult to concentrate on anything when a part of your body is still burning from inside," said Agarwal. "We are proud to be women and no one can rob us of that title, which stands for love and peace," she said.
Agarwal faced an acid attack when she was 15
A man had hurled acid on Agarwal in 2005 when she was 15 after she spurned his advances. Later, she launched a campaign against acid attacks and to curb the illegal sale of acid. Some other acid attack survivors also narrated the sufferings that they underwent, but all of them expressed their resolve to fight for justice and create a safer society for women.
