Acid and burn violence (ABV) is one of the most heinous forms of gender violence that not only erodes a person’s skin but takes away their confidence, dignity, and sense of self. Astitwa Nepal, an NGO working to rebuild the lives of ABV survivors, believes victims of violence need opportunities that go beyond recovery. They deserve a life where they feel valued and empowered, and this is where Inara by Astitwa comes in.
The outlet that sells products made by ABV survivors is located at Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, near the Army Chief’s residence and is open six days a week from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm. It’s closed on Wednesdays. The small store is aesthetic and has a lot of products made by ABV survivors such as earrings, scented candles, hand painted bags, and others, the proceeds of which go to the survivors. “Having a physical store where they can see their hard work on display and people appreciating and buying them acts as a motivator for the survivors. They feel valued and empowered,” says Rumi Rajbhandari, co-founder and executive director of Astitwa Nepal.
The products sold at Inara aren’t just items you would buy for a cause and forget all about when you take them home. They make for great decor pieces and wearable items. According to Simran Silpakar, co-founder and program director of Astitwa Nepal, ABV survivors are given five vocational skills, each culminating in a product development phase, so that they can create good quality, market-ready goods. Inara by Astitwa acts as a safe space for survivors to showcase their skills.
Rajbhandari adds that the survivors had already been making beautiful, high-quality jewelry and crafts that have been sold in Kathmandu, the USA, Europe, and Australia. Now, they are just expanding the initiative to a permanent survivor-run center where they will be given a chance to manage operations, mentor others, and rebuild their lives along the way.
Inara by Astitwa is thus more than just a retail outlet for products made by ABV survivors. It’s a place where economic empowerment meets healing and opportunity. The hub is designed to address both immediate and long-term needs of survivors that cater to their economic, emotional, and psychological well-being. They will gain real workplace experience, manage parts of the outlet, and be able to mentor one another and build courage and confidence together.
The hub will also create jobs for ABV survivors belonging to economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The income generated from Inara by Astitwa will help them break the cycles of poverty and violence by giving them financial independence and the strength that comes with it. Additionally, creative work like jewelry making and crocheting aren’t just skills. They can act as therapy. Skill building training and workshops are good for ABV survivor’s mental health as well as boosting their confidence and sense of purpose in life.
The survivors ApEx spoke to during a vocational training at Astitwa Nepal’s office in Sanepa, Lalitpur, say making jewelry, candles, and various other things gives them a sense of purpose in life. For some, it was a way to pass time which otherwise seemed to drag on. For others, it meant financial freedom. “We don’t have to ask anyone for money and that is a huge boost to our self esteem,” says one survivor who makes it a point to participate in every training Astitwa Nepal organizes.
Inara by Astitwa was launched on July 5 and the outlet saw a lot of customers during the event. The small store was bustling with people and many of the products like hand painted planters, earrings, and bags flew off the shelves. This made the survivors well up and encouraged them to work harder. Some of the survivors stayed up all night to ensure they had enough products to display at the store the next day. Rajbhandari says that they hadn’t expected this kind of response from people and that they are proud and grateful for the support that’s coming their way. The second day of the two-day launch saw an overwhelming turnout of customers as well.
Shilpakar adds that the survivors are overjoyed and emotionally moved. The success of the launch has reignited their motivation to continue learning and creating handmade goods. “People’s support has also strengthened our team’s commitment to expanding our support for survivors of gender violence,” she says.
Inara by Astitwa is an attempt to make women less vulnerable to violence by providing them with a stable income and agency. The center aims to make ABV survivors businesswomen, change-makers, and leaders in their own right. You can help ABV survivors rewrite their stories by supporting this initiative. Step into the outlet to buy some lovely products for your home or a meaningful gift for your friends. They have a select range of items that are crafted with love and care. Your purchase has the power to change someone’s life.
