Women on the Frontline
First broadcast on BBC World on 19 April 2008, the seven part series documents the different kinds of violence practiced against women and girls.
Presented by Annie Lennox, Women on the Frontline takes the front to the homes, villages and cities of our world where largely unreported war against females is being waged. We hear the victims give their testimony and gain an insight into how widespread gender-based violence is.
Five women directors (and one man) have filmed for one year with survivors of gender-based violence – honor killings, sex trafficking and torture – in seven countries where campaigns and grassroots media, as well as lawmaker’s action is making a difference to the rights and well being of women.
A Narrow Escape – Nepal by Fiona Melville (Run time: 24 minutes)
About sexual slavery and sex trafficking.
Up to 12,000 women in this country are trafficked across the border into the sex trade. We meet some of the women trying to put and end to the trade.
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Killing in the Name of Honor – Turkey by Kim Hopkins (Run time: 24 minutes)
About killing women in the name of honor.
Worldwide there are as many as 5,000 cases of women murdered in the name of honour. Recent attempts to crack down on perpetrators have instead led to forced suicides
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Never Again – Morocco by Kim Hopkins (Run time: 24 minutes)
About women victims of state sponsored violence.
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Find a Word for it… – The Democratic Republic of the Congo by Kristin Sellefyan (Run time: 24 minutes)
About rape as a weapon of war.
In the DRC, women bear the brunt of war. Shunned by their community, raped women are often reluctant to seek treatment.
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Showing the Red Card – Austria by Ursula Sova and Patrick Burge (Run time: 24 minutes)
About domestic violence.
One in five Austrian women is a victim of male violence with 95% of cases reported occurring in the home. The police now have the power to eject men from their houses.
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A Question of Rape – Mauritania by Kim Hopkins (Run time: 24 minutes)
About women risking jail when they accuse a man of rape.
In Mauritania, it is illegal to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Punishments are severe for all relationships out of marriage. Rape is undefined in the country’s law. Women who acknowledge having been raped may end up in prison. Unsurprisingly, only few speak up.
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Justice in the Region of Death – Colombia by Margarita Martinez (Run time: 24 minutes)
About women as victims in a drug-fuelled conflict.
In Colombia women are often victims of right wing death squads and left wing guerillas. Their bodies have turned into battlegrounds. Judge Esperanza seeks justice for women.
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