Shaheen Malik, an acid-attack survivor and disability rights activist in India, is fighting an uphill legal and social battle to secure justice and rehabilitation for others like her - and says she will not give up despite the odds. The legal system presents significant challenges for survivors. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in India currently recognizes only those survivors who exhibit visible disfigurement due to 'the throwing of acid or similar substances', which excludes those like Ruman, who suffered forced acid ingestion. Malik has petitioned the Supreme Court to amend the law to include these survivors. Malik’s determination stems from her personal experiences as an acid attack survivor. After being attacked in 2009, she has undergone 25 surgeries and lost vision in her left eye, confronting a long and painful legal battle which sadly ended with her perpetrators being acquitted. Yet, she pushes forward, advocating not only for herself but for all survivors. In 2021, she co-founded the Brave Souls Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at supporting acid attack victims with legal and economic aid. In addition to helping them with legal assistance against their attackers, the foundation provides shelter and care for survivors who have been abandoned by families or society. Despite the dire circumstances — with many survivors struggling for basic medical treatment and facing stigma in their everyday lives — Malik remains committed to ensuring a place in society for herself and others affected by acid attacks.
Shaheen Malik: A Survivor's Crusade Against Acid Attacks

Shaheen Malik: A Survivor's Crusade Against Acid Attacks
Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor and disability rights activist, fights tirelessly for justice and the rights of fellow survivors in India, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
Shaheen Malik, who has undergone 25 surgeries following an acid attack in 2009, is advocating for the rights of acid attack survivors in India. As she battles legal and social challenges for justice, she emphasizes that the plight of those forced to ingest acid is often overlooked under the current disability laws. Despite personal struggles with health and society's stigma, Malik remains determined to ensure accountability for perpetrators and better support for survivors.




















