Speakers at a programme urged concerned authorities to stop gender based violence including acid attacks. Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) recently organised the programme titled “Experience Sharing Symposium” at CIRDAP auditorium in the city. Under the project of “Instant response and support to combat violence against women and girls by using information and communication technology” Acid Survivors Foundation arranged the symposium. Addressing the programmme, Acid Survivors Foundation’ Executive Director Selina Ahmed said, “Though acid violence is seemingly reducing in recent years but another crime such as rape, and other violace have cropped up. Initiative must be taken immediately to prevent such crimes. ” “Acid violence is the most heinous gender violence. Revenge and retaliation work as the key factor in acid throwing violence. Through various social movement in national and international levels, all kind of gender based violence including acid attacks must be stopped. ” Member of parliament Aroma Dutta was the chief guest at the symposium, while Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s and Children Affairs MD. Aynul Kabir along with chief technical advisor of UNDP Human Rights Programme , Sarmiola Rasul were special guests. As it has already become possible to reduce violence against children and women, so it would be possible to reduce acid attacks against women, the speakers said.
A study on ‘Good Practices and Possible Mechanism to Address Gender-Based Violence’, conducted from October 2018 to July 2019 with the assistance of Human Rights Programme, UNDP, was presented by Ms. Fazila Banu, Chief Researcher and Selina Ahmed, jointly.
Aroma Dutta said, “The occurrence of acid violence should be reduced to zero and we should work more with the victims. We should also extend all kind of help to formation of a platform with them. “
In the speech of special guest Md. Aynul Kabir said, “Around seven thousand clubs were now working for teenagers, through these platforms we have to work to prevent such crimes.
Acid Survivors Foundation was formed on 12 May 1999 to eradicate acid violence. It has been giving legal help, providing rehabilitation services and other forms of aid to the victims over the years.
