Acid attack is a crime that occurs especially in developing countries where gender gap, discrimination and violence against women are more prevalent. In addition to deep and persistent physical damages such as loss of face and vision, acid attack causes permanent psychological damages like depression, anxiety, disorder and suicide. In Iran, a large proportion of victims are women, who in most cases are victims of domestic violence. The purpose of the acid attack is to isolate and eliminate the presence of women in society and to leave a lifetime of suffering from burns.

Leila was an accountant at a clinic who was acid attacked by the clinic housekeeper before she arrived at work just four days before her last working day. Leila still does not know exactly why the clinic housekeeper did this to her.

Ever since this happened, laughter has hardly come to Leila’s lips. It has become difficult for her to go out because she cannot stand the humiliating looks of others and the reproachful questions of others: “What did you do to make this happen to you?” Her whole life is tied to the nightmares of that accident. She stays at home and leaves the house only for treatment, and all her communication with her friends is through virtual networks. However, she does not want this happen to anyone anymore: “I want to try not to let any woman stay at home in the future for the fear of acid attack. I will become stronger Leila.”

This collection of photos tries to show a part of Leila’s pain and loneliness.