Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF)'s Education Programmes in the Freirean Perspective: The Case of Bangladesh

Abstract

Many countries in the world struggle from a diverse range of challenges that persist and hinder developing national development in spite of various developmental efforts that are being implemented. Persisting gender inequality and violence against women are considered to be one of the biggest obstacles that hamper the progress of development in developing countries. This study looks at a particular issue of gender-based violence, acid attack, which has been recognized as an international phenomenon, in the context of a specific country, the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Although Bangladesh is a young country struggling with countless difficulties, it had been recognized as having already achieved and was on track to meet many targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before the promised deadline of 2015. However, in spite of various measures, Bangladesh still faces difficulty in graduating from poverty and completely combating violence against women. Interestingly though, in the midst of such struggle, there is one specific case in which Bangladeshs response is considered as a role model and a success story by other countries that face the same issue. Known as acid attack, acid violence or acid throwing, this criminal activity is a vicious form of violence exercised primarily against women, but against the underprivileged, oppressed population in general. Acid attack takesplace across the world from developing countries to developed countries. In fact, these countries have attempted to replicate the exact work that are carried out by the Acid Survivors Foundation Bangladesh (ASF Bangladesh), the principle organization with the objective to fully eradicate acid attack in the country, in order to witness the same significant decline of the crime in their own countries as well.As a country that is still a recipient of aid with numerous problems, such phenomenon is an interesting case that is worth examining in greater detail. ASF Bangladesh gives credit for its successful reduction of acid throwing in the country to its Bio-Psycho-Social approach, including the educational, awareness-raising initiatives that are designed for both acid survivors and the remaining population – non-victims and the general public. The purpose of this study is to explore the key characteristics of the educational activities of ASF Bangladesh, which is considered to be an integral aspect of the organizations initiatives in eradicating acid attack. Paulo Freires theoretical frameworks are explored and confirmed through the examination of the pertinent literature on ASF Bangladesh and its work, as well as the interviews from the authors field trip to the Headquarter of ASF Bangladesh.Paulo Freires core concepts of conscientization, problem-posing education and dialogue have been identified to be embedded in the activities of ASF Bangladesh that are geared towards both the acid survivors and the general public. Overall, the work of ASF Bangladesh is recognized as a success story by many countries that also wish to join the movement in completely eradicating acid attack. The approach of ASF Bangladesh in rehabilitating and reintegrating acid survivors as well as raising awareness among the general population of Bangladesh are deemed to be effective with its adoption of Paulo Freires perspectives such as conscientization, problem-posing education and dialogue. Education programmes in developing countries can be interpreted and disseminated to other countries

in the case of ASF Bangladesh, it will be to show the Freirean case. Therefore, countries that struggle from the persistent perpetuation of acid violence should also implement appropriate measures, with the above-mentioned core Freirean concepts amply incorporated, in order to observe similar results from those of ASF Bangladesh – or de-oppression to the level of liberation through the delivery of their education programmes –and contribute to the social development at the national context in the long-term.