NCW holds national consultation on care, justice for acid attack survivors
The National Commission for Women (NCW) organised a national-level consultation, “Navjeevan: A Consultation on Care, Justice and Dignity for Acid Attack Survivors,” at Vigyan Bhawan to strengthen survivor-centric policies and improve institutional response, officials said.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar announced plans to formulate a special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the critical “golden hour” following an acid attack. She also said the Commission would recommend that all hospitals prominently display government guidelines mandating free and immediate treatment for acid attack victims.
The consultation addressed medical, legal, social, and economic challenges faced by survivors and explored practical measures for better implementation of existing laws and policies.
More than 25 survivors, including Pragya Prasun, Kafi, and Reshma Qureshi, participated, along with representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Women and Child Development, state governments, women’s commissions, medical institutions, and civil society organisations.
Sessions covered emergency healthcare, reconstructive surgery, psycho-social rehabilitation, livelihood support, and compensation mechanisms. Participants highlighted the need for stronger coordination among hospitals, police, and administrative authorities.
Rahatkar also suggested classifying acid attacks under the broader category of “corrosive injuries.” The consultation concluded with NCW reaffirming its commitment to translating discussions into concrete policy action.
