Editor's Note

Victims, Fighters, Survivors

Cultures have different instruments of violence which through repeated use, they come to claim as their own. Here, acid violence against women has become one such culturally specific brand of violence- something we can claim as our very own. Not that it doesn't happen in other places, but the terms “acid violence”, and “acid victim” have found their firm place in our vocabulary.

Our cover story gives the profile of an acid “victim” or “survivor” depending on how one wants to look at it. It is noteworthy that acid crimes still come off as fairly 'isolated' incidents of violence in that it can be committed for regular reasons like revenge, retribution or just bitterness. But this oppression comes along with many other things, factors steeped in culture, gender relations and the way we speak. To examine, understand and fight against acid violence, it is imperative to understand how the different genders actually relate to one another.

Abak Hussain
From the Insight Desk

"Does this mean we're moving into their mansions?"

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