Surviving acid attacks
German photographer Ann-Christine Woehrl took pictures of women who survived acid attacks - and discovered extraordinary strength.
Farida from Bangladesh
Farida's husband was addicted to drugs and gambling. He lost so much money that he had to sell their house. She threatened to leave him. That night, while she was sleeping, he poured acid over her and locked the bedroom door. Farida cried and screamed so loud that neighbors came to her rescue, breaking the door open.
Scarred for life
At the time of the attack, Farida was 24 years old. Since then she has undergone 17 surgeries. Her mother massages her scars regularly to keep the skin smooth. Farida is now living with her sister. She has no home of her own.
Flavia from Uganda
In 2009, Flavia was attacked by a stranger right outside her childhood home. Until today, she does not know who threw acid at her. But after years of hiding at home she decided: "My life needs to go on." Here she is seen dressing up before going out to a salsa dance night.
Support from friends and family
Once a week she is out dancing, and she is a desirable dancing partner as Flavia knows how to move. Therefore the men hardly ever leave her time to rest between dances. The ongoing support from her family and especially her two best friends has helped Flavia get her life back.
Neehari from India
When she was 19 years old, Neehari tried to kill herself. She was too desperate to go on living. Her husband abused her physically and mentally.
New beauty
The room in which Neehari is now doing her hair, is the room in which she set herself on fire: her parents' bedroom. It was the 49th and last match in the box which finally caught fire. Today, Neehari says she would not want to be that girl again. Instead, she got a tattoo and founded her own organisation called "Beauty of the Burned Women".
Nusrat from Pakistan
Nusrat was attacked with acid first by her husband and then by her brother-in-law. Luckily, she survived. Alone in her room Nusrat gets ready for the day. "I have met many women who lined their eyelids with particular diligence," German photographer Ann-Christine Woehrl says, referring to Nusrat and other acid attack survivors.
Eyes of hope
Because of the acid attack, Nusrat has lost parts of her hair. Together with her doctor she decides on how to continue with the healing process and how to slowly get her hairstyle back.
Among friends
Nusrat goes to meetings of the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) regularly, to exchange thoughts, share pain and gossip with fellow attack victims. Like her, the women in the room have suffered and understand. And everyone at the ASF meetings knows: "I am not alone."