U.S. Embassy to mark November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Launch 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

November 21, 2008

To note November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and to launch a program supporting the related campaign, “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence”, the United States Embassy is screening a series of acclaimed films highlighting the struggle to end violence against women.

On November 25, the Ambassador of the United States Embassy, Nancy J. Powell, will formally announce the film festival schedule (below), and call upon all male employees at the U.S. Embassy to pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women.  Male employees who take the pledge will wear a White Ribbon as a symbol of that commitment.

The film screenings are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the Embassy and are free and open to the public. To reserve a seat to see one or more films, please call Laxmi at 400-7200, extension 4158, and provide her your name and which film(s) you wish to attend.

All films will be shown in the Multi-purpose Room of the U.S. Embassy, right next to the American Library.

Schedule of Films for “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence”

Tuesday, November 25, 12:00 p.m.

“Frames of War” – (40 minutes, Nepali with English Subtitles) A documentary that tells the stories of people affected by a conflict that has brutalized the country of Nepal and claimed the lives of nearly 15,000 people, many of them innocent civilians.

Wednesday, November 26, 12:00 p.m.

“No More Tears Sister” – (78 minutes, Tamil and English) This film explores the price of truth in times of war. Set in the midst of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict, the film brings alive the courageous life of human-rights activist Rajani Thiranagama, assassinated at the age of 35 in Jaffna.

Thursday, November 27

No Program – Embassy Closed for Thanksgiving Day (American holiday)

Friday, November 28, 12:00 p.m.
“SOLD” – (30 minutes, English and Nepali) A documentary that explores the world of human trafficking in South Asia through the stories of three trafficking victims.  This film is a compelling look into this seedy, inhuman and exploitative world and shows how each one of us can help prevent and break the chain of human trafficking.

Monday, December 1, 12:00 p.m.
“You Are No Exception” – (67 minutes, Nepali with English subtitles)
A series of eight short films produced by emerging Nepali film makers that confront the behaviors of many individuals who are aware of HIV/AIDS, but do not believe they themselves are at risk of acquiring HIV.  The films each seek to stimulate a greater self-risk perception of HIV/AIDS. 

Tuesday, December 2, 12:00 p.m.
“In the Name of Honour” - (19 minutes, English and Urdu)
This film depicts the horrifying custom of honour killing through the tales of specific victims, conducts interviews with their families and killers, and depicts the plight of aid workers and lawyers that oppose the practice.

“Mother, Sister, Daughter” – (26 minutes, English and Nepali) A documentary that reveals the physical and mental scars of Nepali women subject to ritual violence, post birth banishment, and attempted murder for insufficient dowry.

Wednesday, December 3, 12:00 p.m.
"The Sari Soldiers" – (92 minutes, Nepali with English subtitles)

Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal's modern history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary story of six women's courageous efforts to shape Nepal's future.  

Thursday, December 4, 12:00 p.m.

“Tales from the Margin” – (23 minutes, Manipuri and English)
Living in the shadow of violence, Manipur’s people have for decades faced arrest, torture and extra-judicial killings in a world that mainland India has marginalised. This powerful film explores the conflict in Manipur and lays bare the situation for public scrutiny.

Friday, December 5, 12:00 p.m.

“Shame” – (95 minutes, Urdu and English)
In 2002, in a remote village in Pakistan, 30-year-old Mukhtaran Mai’s life changed forever, when the local tribal council imposed a punishment on her for a crime allegedly committed by her younger brother. This film explores the astonishing spirit, resilience and self-belief that sustained Mukhtaran through her journey, which continues to this day.

Monday, December 8, 12:00 p.m.
“Conflict and Rape:  Reminiscences” – (27 minutes, English)   A documentary tracing how rape was used as weapon of war by both the Maoists and government forces to subjugate women and instill fear in the population.

“War Widows: Waiting for Justice” – (25 minutes, Nepali) There are over 6000 women who were widowed by the conflict in Nepal.  In this documentary, the women tell their own stories of loss and reveal how the conflict struck women of every caste and ethnicity.

Tuesday, December 9, 12:00 p.m.
“Born Again” – (43 minutes, Nepali) This moving documentary outlines the status of widows in Nepal and identifies some traditions that can victimize widows in Nepal.

The scheduled film screenings are free and open to the public but all guests are asked to reserve a seat by calling the Embassy in advance at 400-7200, extension 4158 (Laxmi).  Reservations need to be made by 5 p.m. the day prior to the screening.

“16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” begins with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, and ends with International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2008.  We encourage participation in the film festival hosted by the U.S. Embassy and public commitment to end the scourge of gender violence.

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