Acid Survivors Pakistan » victims

Acid Survivors Foundation In The Field, A Realistic View…

Valerie Khan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:14:02 +0000

Jean Loncle A French journalist, Valerie Khan Yusufzai and Rajprit ASTI communication officer in front of Nishtar hospital in Multan.

Many of you must be wondering what Acid Survivors Foundation is exactly doing when the team goes on the field; we are therefore presenting you a collection of pictures that will illustrate our activities away from the Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Unit. Kindly note that keeping in touch with the local government, the stakeholders and the community is essential to create a social disapproval regarding acid violence and generate social support for our action.

The same team talking to an acid retailer in Multan, Punjab.

ASF team often meets acid shops owners to sensitize them about their civic responsibilities and the need to monitor the acid distribution.

Ultimately, we would like to create some sort of watch committees that could ensure that an acid sale regulation and monitoring law would be implemented efficiently.

These expert volunteers are always there for taking up the cases that need to be proceeded in front of the court. They are also essential to guide us and link us with influential politicians or parliamentarians who would be ready to support a change in the current legal framework. Thanks to them, justice is not a dream but becomes a reality. last but not least. Meeting the communities means that the survivors are acknowledged for their efforts and that this link is the key to the establishment of groups of change agents that will voice out against acid violence, domestic violence and child abuse.

ASF team doscussing the issue of acid violence in a village, in a family in which 31 family members were attacked with acid.

ASF team and one of ASF pro bono lawyer : Mr Rasheed Rehman.

Thank You…

Valerie Khan — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:49:11 +0000

It is sometimes important to take time to thank the people who are there for others…

Acid Survivors Foundation would therefore like to thank its donors for all their support and dedication, their continuous help and solidarity.

We would also like to quote an example of donations by daughters on behalf of their mother, we found it moving.

“Salaams. I hope that all is going well with your efforts. For your information, I just contributed $200 online in memory of my mother (Janice Payson) and a friend’s mother (Christiana Nnang).

Thanks for doing this important work.

Best regards,

Melissa“

On behalf of all acid survivors, thank you.

Capacity Building Programme (CBP) : Dr Jawad Is On Board!

Valerie Khan — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:44:12 +0000

Valerie Khan Yusufzai briefing the patients before they meet Dr Jawad for the medical assessment prior to the surgical camp planned for end of March 2010

Who is Dr Jawad? A British surgeon from Pakistani origin who has not forgotten that he once studied thanks to the efforts of the Pakistani nation, and who would like to come and contribute to the welfare of his people.

He is also the magician who rebuilt Katie Piper’s face, the British model and TV animator who got raped and attacked with acid by her ex boy friend, in England.

Dr Jawad made a quick detour to Islamabad to visit PIMS burn center facility and his head, Dr Tariq Iqbal, and he finally came to visit Acid Survivors Foundation Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Unit and selected relevant patients for the surgical camp.

The objective of such camps are to provide free experts

surgery and share competences, skills and build others.

We thank Dr Jawad for his commitment and we will keep you updated! This cross border technical cooperation is an essential part of our action and you will have many news on the matter!

DR Jawad is briefing Acid Survivor Foundation Chairperson about the way to strategize the Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Unit for maximum results

As usual, the local media were there to support Acid Survivors Foundation and present the interest of such an international cooperation network.

Acid Survivors Foundation : On The Media Road Again!

Valerie Khan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:52:09 +0000

Tauseeq Haider asking questions to Valerie Khan Yusufzai about ASF work

Valerie Khan Yusufzai, ready to explain ASF work and goals.

Nadeem Mehmood, GJP project manager, presenting UNDP GJP project and the challenges faced.

Dr Khadija, ASF psychotherapist and Nazeeran ready to fight for the cause!

Acid Survivors Foundation : Strength, Unity, Solidarity.

Valerie Khan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:29:29 +0000

a few survivors from Acid Survivors Foundation

Acid Survivors Foundation wants to pay tribute to a group of brave and determined survivors who have decided to fight against this horrendous form of violence, major breach of human rights. All of them are rebuilding their life, are owning it.

We are proud of them and wanted to thank them for the admiring support that they are capable of providing to other survivors : a great lesson for all of us.

You will get to know more about them later on in our gallery…

See you there…!

What is GJP?

Valerie Khan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:30:12 +0000

Gender Justice & Protection Project

Violence Against Women (VAW) is pervasive across class, religion, ethnicity and urban/rural divide in Pakistan. Violence and the threat of it contribute to the low social indicators for women’s development in the country. The Gender Justice and Protection Project (GJP) is a key initiative of UNDP’s Gender Support Program funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The five year project has been initiated to contribute to sustainable reduction in violence against women (VAW) in accordance with the government’s policy commitments. The project has established a fund to support promising initiatives from the Government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to combat the prevalence of violence, abuse, discrimination and social exclusion against women.

About Acid Survivors Foundation UNDP Project :GJP And Our Awareness Raising Strategy.

Valerie Khan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:11:59 +0000

The panel for discussing gender Justice Programme from UNDP and eradication of violence against women.

Screening of Documentary and Panel Discussion on VAW

December 2009: An event titled ‘16 Days and Beyond….’ to commemorate the end of the 16 Days of Activism on Eliminating Violence against Women, was organized by the project on 9 December 2009 in Islamabad. The event featured screening of a documentary “Bushra Survives” by the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), one of the implementing partners of GJP, followed by a panel discussion on VAW.

Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director UNDP and Mr. Mr. George Turkington, Head of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) were the chief guests for the occasion. The eminent panelist for the event included: (i) Ms. Saba Gul Khattak, Member Social Sectors, Planning Commission; (ii) Ms. Marvi Memon, Member National Assembly; (iii) Dr. Farzana Bari, Head of Gender Studies, QAU University; (iv) Dr. Rakshinda Parveen, social activist; (v) Ms. Samar Minallah, human rights activist and documentary film maker; (vi) Ms. Valerie Khan Yusufazi, Chair of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF); and (vii) Mr. Salman Asif, Gender Advisor, UNDP. A large number of stakeholders also participated.

ASF gets media support and the word is being spread: an official support from the government soon???

Valerie Khan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:57:10 +0000

Kindly follow this link and you will get a more precise idea of Acid Survivors Foundation advocacy programme!

http://pakheadings.com/2009/11/news-package-acid-victim/

Acid Survivors Foundation : Naila, A Brave Acid Survivor.

Valerie Khan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:38:12 +0000

An article in The News to celebrate Naila’s courage:

Acid attack victim seeks justice from SC

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Myra Imran

Islamabad

An acid attack in 2003 that completely disfigured 19-year-old Naila Farhat’s face has failed to take away her spirit to live as she bids to seek justice with the first hearing in the Supreme Court due to take place on November 13.

According to her, her teacher’s friend Irshad Hussain attacked her with acid on way back from school in 2003 when she was only 13. The family was punished for refusing the proposal from Irshad, a tailor by profession. Naila’s teacher and Irshad’s friend Muzhar Hussain grabbed her while Irshad sprayed acid on her to make her life permanently miserable. They might not have thought that the little girl would live and appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court that recommended releasing the culprit if he pays the compensation money. “My family and I are determined to knock every possible door until we get justice,” said the lively Naila, who is from Layyah.

Naila will be the first acid attack survivor to take her case to the Supreme Court level. In majority of such cases, culprits manage to get away without being punished, as acid attacks are frequent in rural areas where legal system usually favours the mighty and the powerful.

Naila was a bright student and used to top in every class. She now cannot see with her left eye and the attack has also severely affected her other eye. “My mother wanted me to become a doctor,” she said adding that the support of her mother and father kept her going through out the chaotic six years. “I am lucky in the sense that my relatives and family friends gave all out support to me and encouraged me to approach the court despite pressure from the other party to withdraw my case,” said Naila while sitting behind a sewing machine.

Despite passing through immense physical and psychological sufferings, she has not stopped studying. She is a student of Allama Iqbal Open University and is also learning stitching and ‘paranda’ making from another acid burn survivor.

Legal Coordinator for Acid Survivors Foundation Sana Masood told ‘The News’ that Irshad was given 12-year imprisonment and 1.2 million fine by the sessions court. “But when the culprit appealed in the High Court, the court ordered his release if he agreed to pay the fine,” she added.

Highlighting issues related to Naila’s case, Sana said that presently there was no such law that could provide right justice to an acid attack survivor. “There is a provision of life imprisonment for perpetrators of such crimes in Domestic Violence Bill, but that has not been passed yet,” she pointed out.

Citing an example of Bangladesh, she said that Acid Crime Prevention Act was passed in Bangladesh in 2002 that stipulates the death sentence as a maximum penalty for an assault. “And to control the easy availability of commercially used acid, including Sulphuric acid, the Acid Control Act has been enacted in Bangladesh, which mandates licenses for sale and purchase of acids, with offenders facing a maximum of 15-year punishment as well as fines.” However no such Act has been passed in Pakistan.

“The issue of acid violence is addressed under the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2009, but it does not give death penalty to the perpetrator therefore what Naila can ask for is maximum penalty under the existing law as the court deems fit,” said Sana. Whatever be the punishment, no one can bring back the happy days of Naila’s life when she was just a bubbly student of class eight. All we can do is wish her good luck for her first hearing in the Supreme Court.

Message in a bottle

Valerie Khan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:40:47 +0000

In these difficult times, ASF-Pak needs your financial and moral support! Also please forward this page to as many people as possible!

Thanks for your precious collaboration,

Best regards,
Valerie Khan