Acid attacks in South Asia

Photo credit: Phil Borges for Interplast

One of my favorite charities, Interplast, was mentioned by Nicholas Kristoff over the weekend, in relation to his column on acid attacks against women, a tragic phenomenon that is all too common across South Asia. Sadly, this means of subjugating women and keeping them from school, or divorce, or independence, is destroying lives not only in Pakistan – where Kristoff visited – but also in India, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere. Interplast provides reconstructive surgery to some of these women so they can open and close their eyes, hold a spoon, turn their heads. I’m glad to see this issue getting the attention it deserves…