101 east - bangladeshi acid attacks 1
101 East

Bangladesh: A Brave Face

Hundreds of acid attacks take place in Bangladesh each year but most cases go unpunished.

Watch part two

Every year, Bangladesh records hundreds of cases of people being attacked with acid.

Hydrochloric and nitric acid used in jewellery workshops across the country is cheap and readily available. But as a weapon, acid is devastating, causing irreparable damage.

Women’s groups say that as many as 70 per cent of women suffer sexual and physical violence in Bangladesh.

Earlier this month, it was reported that a 12-year-old girl had acid splashed over her face by a man she refused to marry.

While laws pertaining to the crime have been strengthened in recent years, the Acid Survivors foundation, an NGO, claims that as few as 10 per cent of cases result in jail time for the perpetrator.

On this edition of 101 East, we look at how acid attacks have affected lives across Bangladesh and ask what is being done to stop it.

This episode of 101 East airs from Thursday, December 31, 2009 at the following times GMT: Thursday: 1230; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0530, 1730; Sunday: 0330, 1130; Monday: 1630; Tuesday: 1430; Wednesday: 0830, 1930; Thursday: 0630.