Acid throwing is a particularly vicious and damaging form of violence in Bangladesh. The majority of victims are young women, although recently there have also been attacks on older women, men and children. These attacks are often the result of family and land disputes, dowry demands or a desire for revenge.
Those who survive acid attacks often have difficulty finding work and have little chance of marrying following an attack. In Bangladesh this can have serious social and financial consequences. Their families can face financial difficulties in meeting the costs of treatment, and perpetrators may not be pursued through the legal system due to financial constraints.
Australia is helping to prevent acid violence and ensure that acid burn victims receive healthcare and legal support by building capacity and awareness in healthcare facilities, the courts and law enforcement agencies.
In 2011, Australia provided A$600,000 to the Acid Survivors Foundation to assist the survivors of acid attacks with physical reconstruction, rehabilitation and legal assistance.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark Australia's support of the foundation, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said 'I am very pleased to see first-hand the multifaceted service the Acid Survivors Foundation is providing in assisting survivors of acid violence.' She said that she hoped Australian support would contribute to eliminating violence against women in Bangladesh. Ms Broderick also visited the Acid Survivors Foundation hospital and vocational training centre and met survivors.
Over the last decade more than 3,000 people have suffered from acid violence in Bangladesh–almost 70 per cent of these were women and a quarter of them children. Since it was founded in 1999, the Acid Survivors Foundation has been assisting survivors and has played a pivotal role in creating a platform for a collective voice against acid violence in Bangladesh.
More information
Acid Survivors Foundation [external link]
AusAID at work in Bangladesh