Australia announces support for Acid Survivors’ Foundation

Australian Sex discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick talking to a survivor during the Acid Survivors’ Foundation hospital visit

Australia will provide BDT 43m (A$600,000) to the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) to assist the survivors of acid attacks with physical reconstruction, rehabilitation and legal assistance.
The visiting Sex Discrimination Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Ms Elizabeth Broderick announced this yesterday at a ceremony at the ASF.

Secretary of the Ministry of Health Humayun Kabir, ASF’s chairperson Dr Iftekhar Zaman, Head of DFID Gwen Hines, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation Shaheen Anam and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Justin Lee also attended.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Broderick said “I am very pleased to see first-hand the multifaceted service ASF is providing in assisting survivors of acid violence.” She hoped Australian support will contribute significantly to eliminate violence against women in Bangladesh. Ms Broderick also visited the ASF hospital and vocational training centre and met survivors.

Over the last decade more than 3,000 people have suffered from acid violence in Bangladesh, with 69% of these women and a quarter children. Since its founding in 1999, ASF has been assisting survivors and has played a pivotal role in creating a platform for a collective voice against acid violence.

Australian High Commission, Dhaka, 30 November 2011

For further information please contact:
Senior Research and Communications Officer, AHC Dhaka
Tel: 8813105 (497); Mobile: 01711 880205
E-mail: [email protected]