In 2011, the Kurdish filmmakers Nabaz Ahmed and Shara Amin released a piece of work that addressed one of the biggest taboos in their home country: female genital mutilation. Today, their film ‘Handfull of Ash’ has changed perceptions of mutilation in Iraqi Kurdistan. The practice has been made illegal, and despite the lack of prosecution the number of mutilated girls is estimated to have fallen by 60% in the past two years.
said Jessie Hexspoor who works with women and development at the Dutch NGO Hivos, as the film was getting released. “This film can therefore contribute positively towards the transformation of Iraqi society,” she added.
After a decade of filming, in collaboration with activists from the organisation Wadi, the finished film became a part of a national campaign against FGM in Iraq. It gained attention across the country and started discussions about mutilation practices across the country. The ancient taboo was suddenly debated by everyone: journalists, politicians and common people. It resulted in a legal ban on the practice, and activists are now working to raise awareness around the legal and societal change.
“Showing the film in parliament was a great breakthrough for us,” said Nabaz Ahmed. When you spend years making a film about such a sensitive and taboo subject it is a very big thing when representatives of your society request to see it. It made me very happy.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alAgi03RVt8
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