Meghna Gulzar

Meghna Gulzar Instagram – #Repost
“My family could only afford to send my brothers to school so I’d sit with their books & read everything. When my dad died, my brother began working as a guard & I looked for a job as a maid. I was hired by a lady who insisted I learn how to stitch as another skill. I began earning & dreamt of becoming a designer.
Then, my sister had a misscarrige, so mom & I went to visit her. There, I met her brother-in-law. We didn’t know each other, but he proposed to me. I was only 16, not ready to get married & was weirded out by him–he’d corner me. My mom & I refused!
One day, he kept walking in & out of the room. I was uncomfortable & went outside. That’s when he threw something hot on me saying, ‘If I can’t have you, no one can’. I thought it was hot water–but I only remember screaming. Men around brought water to wash me, but the burning didn’t stop.
They didn’t want to take me to the hospital–they were scared of getting into trouble with the cops. My mom finally took me by auto–when we reached, we were told to wait until morning as it was late. They kept me in isolation because I was screaming the whole night.
The next 3 years were about surgeries. People told my family not to waste money on me & that I was ruining my family name–but they never left me, even when I went to rehab.
I started getting better & wanted a regular married life, but I didn’t have hope. After a lot of rejections, I met my ex-husband in 2010. We got married but turns out, he wanted to marry me only so my brother could financially support him. The only light in that marriage was my son; my pride & joy!
Finding a job seemed tough, but in 2014, I found out about a restaurant that hired acid attack survivors. I reached out & it’s been amazing since. Working at Sheroes has given me a safe space & a community of incredible women.
I’ve gone from being afraid of going out & covering my face, to wearing jeans & t-shirts. I’m financially independent & provide for my son. Sometimes, when his friend’s make fun of me, he tells them I’m a survivor & that’s my validation. Now every time I look in the mirror I see a mother, a survivor, a warrior–everything but a victim.” | Posted on 20/Jan/2020 23:18:21