Acid Attack Survivors Inspire Change in Nepal

In recent years, violence against women has seen a sharp increase in Nepal, with the South Asian nation often cited as one of the countries typically associated with acid assaults.

Nepali youth light candles during a vigil in memory of the victims of acid attacks in Kathmandu on Sept. 27, 2018. Prakash Mathema/AFP/Getty Images

KATHMANDU, Nepal—As they spent an afternoon lounging at a popular cafe overlooking the historic palace square in the Nepali capital Kathmandu, Sangita Magar and Sima Basnet appeared to be regular diners. The women sipped coffee and spoke about their plans for the future, at times trying to stifle their laughter.

But the circumstances that brought them together were far from normal.