Workshop held for acid attack survivors

Karachi: A workshop was held to help acid and kerosene burn victims become self-reliant financially.

The workshop arranged by the Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) aimed to develop self-awareness among the survivors of acid attacks about their capabilities and ability to focus on what they can achieve as an individual. The initiative prepared them to choose options of employment or self-employment as per suitability, opportunities or circumstances.

Keeping in view the educational level of participants, basic and understandable terminologies were used to help the survivors develop necessary skills to become financially independent.

Speaking at the seminar, Dr Owais Siraj, the learning facilitator and the Ganzee Solutions managing director, said the DSF had recognised the need of such efforts. He thanked the donor Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited for supporting initiatives to fight domestic violence.

The methodology adopted was highly interactive with the maximum use of “participant voices”.

The consultant used a combination of theory, role play, discussions, examples and best practices sharing to enable the participants to devise a comprehensive understanding of the subject and a hands-on practice session. Many acid burn survivors registered with DSF benefitted from the day long exercise. As a result of efforts made by DSF and civil society organisations, laws protecting women from domestic violence as well as acid attacks have been passed. The DSF is now building a pressure group for strict implementation of the laws.

The News