Besides serving coffee and some delicious bites, this café is also serving a provoking thought – the stigma surrounding acid attack victims and the larger issue of acid attack itself.
Image courtesy: facebook.com/SheroesHangout
An initiative by Stop Acid Attacks campaign and is owned by Chhanv Foundation, Sheroes Hangout employees acid attack victims. These women have fought hard to not just survive but lead a dignified life.
Image courtesy: facebook.com/SheroesHangout
In a country where the victims face more stigma, than the attackers, the café is an attempt to empower them and bring them back to the mainstream. The stories of each of the victim shows the need for stringent laws against acid attackers.
Image courtesy: facebook.com/SheroesHangout
An employee at Sheroes, Geeta, along with her two baby daughters, was attacked by her husband, who was drunk and angry because they didn’t have a son. The other employees at Sheroes have similar horrific stories to share.
Image courtesy: facebook.com/SheroesHangout
The cafe also houses a library, a community radio hub and a boutique corner where works crafted by Sheores are on display.
Image courtesy: facebook.com/SheroesHangout
An interesting aspect of the café is its activisim workshop, which are aimed at training girls to use computers and other gadgets and helping them utilise social media as a real tool of empowerment and outreach. Additionaly, the café acts as platform to discuss and voice issues related to feminism. Programmes based on basic legal awareness, judicial and political procedures, cinema, art, culture and gender issues keep the workshops engaging and lively.
Image courtesy: facebook.com/SheroesHangout
These women are courageous fighters who walk with scars to give an important message, it’s time we gave a serious thought to the issue of acid attacks and the way we look at those who are fighting it.
