DCW gives jobs to 9 acid attack survivors

NEW DELHI: DCW appointed nine acid attack survivors in its programs on Tuesday as decided by its chairperson Swati Maliwal. On the 10th day of the March, acid attack survivors joined the protest. "The Commission has been blessed to appoint nine acid attack survivors. Their energy and passion for social causes are infectious and DCW has benefitted tremendously through their efforts. I urge all State Governments to appoint them. Further, we have issued a notice to Divisional Commissioner to ban the retail sale of acid. We cannot afford to have another acid attack," said Maliwal.

Citing data from NCRB, the notice observed that there have been 20 incidences of an acid attack in Delhi, the third highest state after West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Concerned at the prevalence of this heinous crime and taking into consideration the ban on acid sale declared by the Supreme Court in July 2013, the Commission had recommended a ban on acid sale to the Delhi Government in 2016. The DCW Chief has initiated proceedings under the Code of Civil Procedure and sought an action taken the report in this matter within 10 days.

On Tuesday, the march focused on the plight of survivors of the acid attack who have braved social stigma and ostracization along with severe pain and trauma. In a public meeting in Jangpura, the victims recounted their pain and how jobs with the Delhi Commission for Women helped them overcome their emotional and physical scars. Many have now taken active roles in supporting other abused women. In the past three years, the DCW itself has given employment to 10 victims in various programmes.