The conversations with the women are beginning to deepen as the filming draws near. Today we had a wonderful talk about what they love about their traditions (the respect they have for elders, the good care they take of each other, and the sense of identity they get from their traditions and community) and what they would change about them if they had a magic wand. The latter produced a palpable sense of yearning to be seen as equal(s) to men in value and a desire to be valued by their husbands for all they do to take care of his parents and his children and his home. They wish it were not condoned to have more than one wife.
Their newest tangible wish for the women of Pankisi is a women's center where women can come and be themselves without the restriction of traditional roles and dress - a place to talk openly, read books, exercise without a scarf and long skirt, play table tennis, tell stories to each other, laugh, dream. They also said that there are many highly educated and talented women in Pankisi, but no place for them to showcase or share their talents and knowledge. The Women's Center could be such a place where at least they could share with each other.
It is such an elegant and simple wish. I hope this next year I can help them realize it. Maybe the film will somehow be a step toward realizing this simple dream? Today after our talk and after my time with my Pankisi Girls' Leadership Club (see my latest blog post: http://suzerutherford.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/pankisi-girls-leadership-club/ ), my heart is full to over-flowing and my spirits are high. These are remarkable women and girls. I can hardly wait for you to meet them in our film. Thank you all so much for your support of their dreams!
Their newest tangible wish for the women of Pankisi is a women's center where women can come and be themselves without the restriction of traditional roles and dress - a place to talk openly, read books, exercise without a scarf and long skirt, play table tennis, tell stories to each other, laugh, dream. They also said that there are many highly educated and talented women in Pankisi, but no place for them to showcase or share their talents and knowledge. The Women's Center could be such a place where at least they could share with each other.
It is such an elegant and simple wish. I hope this next year I can help them realize it. Maybe the film will somehow be a step toward realizing this simple dream? Today after our talk and after my time with my Pankisi Girls' Leadership Club (see my latest blog post: http://suzerutherford.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/pankisi-girls-leadership-club/ ), my heart is full to over-flowing and my spirits are high. These are remarkable women and girls. I can hardly wait for you to meet them in our film. Thank you all so much for your support of their dreams!
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