Power and beauty, 2014 In 2014, a city in Iran called Isfahan was the location of a number of brutal and horrific acid attacks against a number of women

Power and beauty, 2014

In 2014, a city in Iran called Isfahan was the location of a number of brutal and horrific acid attacks against a number of women. 

An acid attack is a form of physical violence. It involves a person throwing acid on a victim, usually targeting their face in order to deliberately cause disfiguration to the body. Acid attacks have primarily seen a rise in the Middle East / India in the last few years. Cases usually involve males attacking ex lovers. 

Isfahan saw at least 8 acid attacks in 2014. It is speculated that 2 males on a motorbike are to blame. They covered their faces and have never been identified for their crimes. 

It is debated as to what the motivation behind the attacks was. Some Iranians speculate that it had to do with the progression of women in Iran, as many of the women targeted were driving cars or were not wearing traditional Islamic attire. Other theories about the attackers range suggest that they were radical Islamic extremists to hardline misogynists.

The woman above is Marziyeh Ebrahim. She suffered extensive injuries due to being a victim in one of the acid attacks. However, Ebrahim did not let her scars shape her, but rather, she defined them. 

Ebrahim is now a political activist, who heavily advocates for women's rights and awareness around acid attacks. She is considered to be one of the strongest activists in Iran, and in 2019 she helped to pass a law that outlawed acid attacks.

Source: BBC

Photographer: Mihaela Noroc