Let your Beauty Shine

Acid Attacks are very common in many countries around the world, especially India. These horrendous attacks on woman are mostly done by perpetrators who want to strip woman of their dignity and identity.

However Rupa, a victim of an acid attack back in 2008 proved them wrong. Rupa and her friends have been hiding their scars for years, but now have come forward together bravely, to show the world that there's nothing to be ashamed of. Rupa, 22, said:

I always wanted to be a designer but after the attack there was a pause in my life. I was so insecure and embarrassed by my scars, I used to cover my face with a scarf,"

I always hung onto my dream but I never knew that one day it would be possible and I would be launching my own label."

Rupa and many other victims bravely posed for a fashion shoot, modelling Rupa's Designs. Like many of the victims, Rupa was attacked by a family member. Her step-mother threw acid on her face while she was sleeping. Whilst found guilty and sentenced to prison, she was freed after just serving 18 months.

Rupa wanted to fight for justice for her and other victims and teamed up with a charity campaign 'Stop Acid Attacks', who works with survivors to help them back into society. They created a project called 'Chhaon', a support centre that gave survivors a clean, safe and comfortable environment while they received medical assistance. For victims like Rupa and her friends the centre helped them boost their confidence, and showed them that their dignity had not been washed away.

The clothing line was photographed by Rahul Saharan who feels blessed to have got this exclusive opportunity. He added:

I kept telling the girls, 'don't let others tell you what beauty is, you yourself are beautiful, every woman is beautiful.'"

Although officials do not have specific figures, Acid Survivors Trust International has said around 1,500 acid attacks are taken place each year, with large number of cases going unreported. There figures also showed nearly 1,000 cases happen just in India, and many have called the India government to start taking tougher action.

Mohammad Jawad, a plastic surgeon who works with victims in south Asia described the crime as being a way to destroy someone's identity. He added:

The attacker is saying: 'I don't want to kill her, I am going to do something to distort her.' It's a walking dead situation for the victim and often a grey area in the eyes of the law."

He argues:

It is not about religion or culture. It takes place in parts of the world where women are not empowered. It's an extreme form of domestic violence."

Many cases go unreported due to victims not wanting to bring shame on the family. Just like Rape and FGM, acid attacks on woman are also a serious crime and they should be treated the same way. It is not an issue just in India, but globally, and we need to work together to ensure girls and woman get the justice they deserve.

Woman, like Rupa and her friends even through tough times, showed bravery. Going through everyday life is not easy for them, but they showed all victims out there that they shouldn't hide away in shame, but stand tall and fight!

Roshni Vekereya