Belief in oneself
Self-organization came about for a variety of reasons: from the need to protect their own rights and live without violence, to fight for freedom, or to be able to develop and fulfill themselves, because the state could not cope with the problems facing by women, didn’t care, or simply did not pay enough attention to the needs of women. Self-organization has also helped many activists to grow and gain self-confidence.
“I used to be indecisive. I thought I couldn’t do certain things. Things just wouldn’t work out. Do I have enough intelligence, strength and capabilities? But it was the rights of women that created such conditions and opportunities for me to think and bring those ideas to fruition, take your life into your own hands. You build your own life — not at someone’s direction, not at someone’s instruction.”
Zhanna BFI, 2015-2019, Bishkek
Common term in the former Soviet Union for orchestrated political manipulation.
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Nazik kyz, Bishkek
“It was empowerment. Activism, I mean. It was physical, moral and material independence. My life improved when I came into activism, with the exception of awareness… that can be difficult.”
“We know how history is made, all these political technologies,29 but consciousness is changing anyways. I thought that I probably should start by bettering myself. It sounds pathetic, but I mean it. I had a thought, what if I start doing this (activism) myself? And I started to get involved. Right now, I have a little daughter, and she also calls herself a feminist. She asks me, “mom, that is sexist, and, and… is this racist? Is this ageist?” I want my girls to have a different life. Perhaps different from how I lived when I was young, and certainly not like the life of my parents and grandparents.” 29
Ukei
Aigul BFI
