Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation Attends Film Festival in Washington

The Global Women’s Institute of the George Washington University last Friday held their 2015 Women’s Film Festival called Censored.  Focusing on Research, Education and Civic Engagement, in just short a time, the Global Women’s Institute has become known as a premier institute for advancing gender equality.

The films screened at the festival were The Price of Honor with Director, Neena Nejad; Honor Diaries with Writer/Producer, Paula Kweskin; India’s Daughter with Associate Producer Riddhi Jha and The Cruel Cut with Star-Activist, Leyla Hussein.

The Price of Honor - Director Neena Nejad

The Price of Honor – Director Neena Nejad

The Price of Honor (2013) is an award winning documentary about the true story of the honor killings of Sarah and Amina Said.  The two teenage sisters were murdered on New Year’s Day in 2008 in Texas.  According to the film, the girls’ father, Yaser Said carried out a premeditated honor killing that was planned and executed by him.  This film demonstrates that honor killings extend far beyond domestic violence.

Honor Diaries - Producer Paula Kwesin

Honor Diaries – Producer Paula Kwesin

Honor Diaries (2014) is more than a film; it is a movement to inspire viewers to learn more about issues facing women in Muslim-majority societies and to act for change.  In male-dominated cultures, women and girls are treated like property, forced into marriage and suffer female genital mutilation.  Honor Diaries is the first film to break the silence on ‘honor violence’ against women and girls.

India's Daughter - Producer Riddhi Jha

India’s Daughter – Producer Riddhi Jha

India’s Daughter (2015) is an infuriating documentary about twenty-three year old medical student, Jyoti Singh, who was brutally gang raped and murdered while riding a bus in India on December 16, 2012.  This film is a tear jerker, especially in the scenes where the parents appear as they speak amicably about their murdered daughter.

Cruel Cut - Star Leyla Hussein

Cruel Cut – Star Leyla Hussein

The Cruel Cut (2013) is about a topic that until in recent years was forbidden to discuss, and it is female genital mutilation (FGM).  A brave woman, Leyla Hussein took her crusade to the British government, citizens of the U.K. and just about anyone who would stop and listen to her.  Leyla, a survivor of the practice of FGM is originally from Somalia but spent her formative years in several countries around the world.  This film is highly recommended if you are doubtful about supporting the campaign against FGM.