Women's Film Week was held in Bishkek as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - from December 5 to 8, the National History Museum hosted a Women's Film Week as part of a 16-day activism against gender-based violence. Film Week aims to develop and support women filmmakers and the film community of Kyrgyzstan to give women filmmakers an opportunity to reach a wide audience and be heard. Every day from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., films were shown that touched on current, acute issues of gender inequality and violence through the lens of women filmmakers.

Women's Film Week is a collaboration between the EU-UN  "Spotlight Initiative" and the Public Foundation for Creative Women in Asia, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy.

The presentation of the short feature film "Bashka biroo" was also held during the Film Week. The film is about the struggle of a Kyrgyz woman Ainagul for the life and safety of her friend Erkinay, about domestic violence and about grassroots activism. The author and director of the film is Zhanna Araeva, an expert on gender and media. The film was also made with the support of the EU-UN "Spotlight Initiative" as part of the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence.

The film is available for viewing at the following link.

Photos from the opening of Women's Film Week here