When people think of Agra, the first image that springs to their minds is the iconic Taj Mahal, with its gleaming white marble and intricate Mughal architecture. Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO world heritage site. It is an enormous mausoleum and symbol of love. Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and exquisite buildings ever created. I have always wanted to visit the majestic and mysterious Taj Mahal. Little did I know that my trip to Agra would reward me not only with rich history and extraordinarily beautiful monuments but also with an unforgettable and humbling experience of meeting Sheroes – women who survived acid attacks.

Who are the Sheroes from Agra?

A shero is a woman admired for for her courage, strength and perseverance. Shero means a she-hero, a woman who has not given up, despite tragedies she has suffered. Have you ever met a shero face to face? I felt honoured to be able to meet several heroic females at the Sheroes Cafe Hangout in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. All women who are employed at the Sheros Cafe Hangout in Agra are acid attack survivors. Most of them were attacked by people they knew, for example as a revenge for rejecting marriage proposals, sexual advances or a cruel punishment by a jealous husband.

The café started off as a crowdfunded project in 2014 and operates on a “pay as you want” model which means that you can pay as much as you feel. The café provides employment opportunities to acid attack survivors, helping them rebuild their lives, regain their confidence and self-esteem.

The café is the first world’s café run by acid attack survivors. It is a testament to the strength and determination of brave ladies who refuse to let their physical and emotional scars define them. Once the attack happens, the victim’s life is completely disrupted. Survivors often lose support from family and friends after an attack, largely due to social ostracism they endure. The process of obtaining compensation can be very challenging, lengthy and burdensome. This is why places such as Sheroes Café Hangout are so important for supporting the victims and raising awareness about gender violence.

The café not only provides employment opportunities for the victims of misogynistic crime but also serves as a safe space for women’s empowerment and raising awareness about acid attacks and their devastating impact on the lives of women who survived them. Through their courage and determination, acid attack survivors are not only reclaiming their lives but also inspiring others to overcome obstacles and turn pain into power. Their story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of community support in overcoming adversity.

I found out about the café by chance. I wanted to visit some interesting and inspiring places in Agra, and this café was recommended to me through an online search. I knew I had to speak to the sheros and listen to their harrowing stories before I left Agra and headed to Jaipur.

When you go to the Sheroes Café Hangout you can talk to the survivors of acid attacks. Every woman working there has a tragic story to tell. Each is a story of heroism, of courage and of dignity. I had a chat Rukkaiya. She told me about her dreams, goals and her love of poetry. When she was talking about her dreams and the poems she writes, she brightened up. I did not see her scars any more. All I could see was her beautiful smile and expressive eyes – eyes full of hope, inspiration, joy and wisdom.

The ladies working at the café asked me if I wanted to watch the documentary about the plight of acid attack survivors. I agreed. The documentary made me emotional and deeply touched. Some girls were attacked by men, but some were attacked by female members of family. For example one young woman was attacked by her stepmother – a cruel punishment for not being able to get her a grandson. When the stepmother threw the acid at her in the middle of the night, she thought it was raining. There was no electricity in the village where she lived so she could not see properly what had happened to her. She felt as if her skin was melting and dripping, melting the way chocolate melts. She stayed in a hospital for three months. Another teenage girl was attacked by her contractor. He was 45 and the girl said she trusted him and treated him as her uncle. Many girls were acid attacked at the age of 14 or 15. Most of acid attacked women are aged 13 and 35 years. Most of the attacks were provoked by rejection of marriage proposals, sexual advances or failure to pay dowry payments.

I think what shocked me most was the fact that the perpetrators of the acid attacks usually do not receive adequate punishment for their heinous crimes. Unfortunately, many acid attack survivors are not able to see justice. These atrocities should not be allowed to continue unchecked. I also think that stricter norms on access to acid should be placed.

The Sheroes initiative has inspired documentaries and films, such as “Chhapaak,” which highlight the plight and strength of acid attack survivors. Since 2012, acid attacks in India have seen a three-fold rise from 85 cases a year, it has now gone up to 307 cases a year.

Through their courage and determination, acid attack survivors are not only reclaiming their lives but also inspiring others to overcome obstacles and turn pain into power. Their story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of community support in overcoming adversity.

Sheroes is a café with excellent food and atmosphere. Despite challenges, including financial crises during the pandemic, the café continues to thrive, supported by donations and the determination of its staff. You can order delicious food, get henna done on your hands and buy some beautiful articles such as pouches, bags, notebooks, pashminas and lovely handmade jewellery.