The Story of: Natalia Ponce de León

Natalia Ponce de Leon, 

Women Of Courage Award Winner, Acid Attack Survivor

Burn violence, particularly acid attacks, is a devastating form of gender-based violence—severe in its consequences yet often underreported and overlooked. It is a global issue, but its impact is especially profound in regions like Colombia, where such attacks have left lasting scars on individuals and communities. Natalia Ponce de León has emerged as a powerful advocate in this fight, turning her personal tragedy into a movement for justice and change.

Through her tireless efforts, Natalia has reshaped Colombia’s response to chemical attacks. Her advocacy led to the landmark “Natalia Ponce de León Law,” which imposes stricter penalties on perpetrators and ensures crucial protections for survivors. Her foundation continues to provide essential support, giving survivors a voice and a path to recovery while fostering a broader cultural shift towards accountability and prevention.

As stated by Resurge: Natalia Ponce de León was the victim of a brutal acid attack by a man who threw sulfuric acid at her after she rejected his advances, severely burning 24% of her body. She chose to dedicate her life to defending, promoting, and protecting the human rights of chemical attack victims. Despite undergoing numerous operations, Natalia emerged resilient. In 2015, she established the foundation to advise and advocate for victims, ensuring their rights are recognized and upheld. In 2016, Natalia played a pivotal role in the creation of the Natalia Ponce de León Law, amplifying penalties for chemical attacks. Since then, she has actively supported the "No More Masks" initiative. Her impactful contributions led to her recognition as one of the Best Leaders in 2016 and the recipient of the "Outlook Inspirations" award from the BBC radio program Outlook, acknowledging her as an inspirational figure of great courage. On March 29, 2017, Natalia was chosen among 13 women to receive the "Women of Courage" award from the First Lady of the United States, solidifying her status as a beacon of bravery, tenacity, and resilience. 

Natalia Ponce de León’s advocacy has transformed Colombia’s approach to burn violence, proving that systemic change is possible when survivors lead the way. Her work has brought much-needed attention to an often-ignored form of violence, offering hope and justice to those affected.

Her leadership challenges us to see burn violence for what it is: a grave human rights violation. Let her journey inspire us to stand with survivors, amplify their voices, and commit to building a world where such acts are unthinkable and where all survivors are supported in reclaiming their lives.