Acid attacks and gender-based violence aren’t just against women and girls, is it?
“No, it’s not. While the vast majority of acid attack and gender-based violence (GBV) survivors are women and girls—especially in patriarchal societies—men and boys are also victims, though often in different contexts. Some male survivors are attacked due to land disputes, jealousy, or even as collateral damage in domestic violence situations. Others face violence because they stand up for female relatives, or because of their sexual orientation. At CERESAV, we’ve counseled and supported male survivors who carried their scars in silence for years, thinking no one would believe or support them. But here’s the truth: GBV affects anyone whose dignity, safety, or autonomy is targeted. What makes it ‘gender-based’ isn’t just the victim’s identity, but the societal dynamics that allow the violence to happen unchecked, whether it’s control, shame, silence, or power imbalance. So while my own journey began as a woman survivor of acid attack violence, my mission has always been inclusive. CERESAV serves survivors, not statistics. And if we’re serious about ending GBV, we have to build systems that see, support, and stand up for all survivors—regardless of gender.”
Your livelihood and education programs empower survivors economically. Do you have a personal success story that brings this to life?
“Absolutely. One of our earliest beneficiaries was a woman who had been attacked by her husband and abandoned by her community. She had no skills, no income, and no family support. We enrolled her in our craft training program and later helped her set up a small shop. Today, she makes handwoven baskets and teaches others to do the same. She earns a living, supports her children, and even donates part of her profits back to CERESAV. Her transformation—from a hidden victim to an empowered entrepreneur—reminds me why we started. We’re not just helping women survive—we’re helping them thrive.”
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