Acid Survivors Foundation India

The Supreme Court of India banned over-the-counter acid sales and mandated state regulations. Implementation challenges persist, necessitating public awareness. Police struggle due to constraints with respect to time, resources, and training. A proposed acid survivors' board and Criminal Injuries Compensation Boards for various survivors are considered. The court directed states to regulate acid sales. ASWWF arranged a seminar on ” Acid Violence- Challenges & Remedies” which was attended by NGOs , lawyers, students, and doctors. The seminars focused on the need to strictly enforcing the directives of the Supreme Court of India for regulating the sale of acids.
ASWWF has also written to the Chief Secretaries of different States and DG of Police requesting them to strictly enforce the aforesaid directions of the Supreme Court.

District

Kolkata

States

West Bengal

An initiative led by ASWWF has the objective of empowering underprivileged women by equipping them with skills and furnishing the necessary infrastructure for achieving financial stability. This effort enables these women to uphold their human rights and lead lives characterized by dignity and honor. ASWWF aims to empower underprivileged women to achieve self-sufficiency, enabling them to care for their families. The goal is to equip each woman with skills to earn at least minimum daily wages in their trained field. Addressing rural seasonal unemployment, we provide training during periods of limited work, ensuring families' support during difficulties.
Our Skill Development and Vocational Training Center offers various courses like computer skills, handicrafts, tailoring, and more. The center was initiated with equipment and support from the Inner Wheel Club of Kolkata.
We also focus on marketing their products, both independently and through ASWWF's efforts, for wider reach and sales

ASWWF offers comprehensive Legal Support Services, encompassing various aspects of legal aid for survivors of violence.
The team provides expert legal guidance and assistance in filing cases against perpetrators, collaborating with partners and jurists to ensure a strong legal foundation. ASWWF accompanies survivors throughout the process, from lodging FIRs to obtaining final reports, ensuring their rights are upheld and justice is pursued. It also assists survivors in obtaining rightful compensation for the harm they have endured.

ASWWF collbaorates with like-minded organisations to organise free corrective surgery camps for the acid attack victims. ASWWF also supports the acid attack vitims by offering financial assistance to meet the expenditure of treatment and surgery. ASWWF has created a Trauma Informed Care Kit (TICK) containing comprehensive guide, the first of its kind in the world, for treatment of traumatized survivors of acid and thermal burns. About 63 acid survivors across India were being financially supported to facilitate their medical treatments. Among them, five individuals underwent specialized treatment at hospitals dedicated to such cases.

Acid assault inflicts profound and enduring psycho-physical harm on survivors, surpassing other forms of violence. The notion that time heals wounds does little to alleviate the enduring anguish experienced by these women, who grapple with shame and suffering in their daily lives. ASWWF strives to alleviate the burden on survivors and enhance their quality of life. To achieve this, ASWWF and partner organizations are implementing the Theory of Change (ToC), a joint approach that embraces the following strategies:
Conducting awareness camps, prevention campaigns, and media initiatives to reduce attack occurrences.
Curbing attack rates through effective legislation.
Providing medical care and counseling enhances survivors' overall quality of life.
Supporting rehabilitation efforts encompassing vocational education and livelihood training.
Equipping survivors with life skills and knowledge about their rights.
Strengthening the evidence base on acid burns violence

The foundation assisted numerous survivors who have successfully attained their MBA degrees and are eager to embark on careers of their preference. Additionally, several survivors are currently pursuing higher education at Satyabhama University, Chennai. The foundation also extends financial aid to the children of survivors, ensuring they can complete their education.