Warning: This story contains distressing details
Shaheen Malik, an acid-attack survivor and disability rights activist in India, is fighting an uphill legal and social battle to secure justice and rehabilitation for others like her - and says she will not give up despite the odds.
In December, Shaheen petitioned the Supreme Court saying the disability law must also include survivors like Ruman, who was forced to drink acid during domestic violence. Malik's call for legislative reform highlights the ongoing struggles of survivors excluded from benefits due to inadequate definitions in existing laws.
Malik has campaigned for over a decade, following her own attack in 2009 that resulted in severe disfigurement and vision loss. Despite her fight for justice facing setbacks, including the acquittal of her attackers, she remains resolute, stating she seeks to advocate not only for herself but for other survivors facing similar injustice.
The Brave Souls Foundation, co-founded by Malik, offers vital support to acid attack survivors, including legal aid and shelter. While the incidence of acid attacks in India continues to rise, with convictions remaining frustratingly low, Malik's foundation serves as a critical lifeline for many, as public and private medical facilities struggle to provide requisite assistance legally mandated to survivors.
