Overview They Don’t just Dance... Afghan tradition of hiring boys for sex - 27 min., RT ANO TV - Novosti, 2016 (In Afghanistan’s male-dominated society women face many restrictions. Among the many prohibitions, they are not allowed to go to parties or dance. That female social vacuum has led to an old tradition of “bachas” – dancing boys who dance in women’s clothes at men-only parties but the boy’s job description involves more than dancing. After the party, the men choose their favourite boy for sex....

Overview Dangerous Music - Reviving traditional Afghan music in spite of terror threats - 27 min., RT ANO TV - Novosti, 2017, Author and Director Ekaterina Kozhakina (Years of war and Islamic extremism have left their mark on Afghanistan’s traditional music culture. Though the Taliban was driven from power some 15 years ago, a generation was “brainwashed” into believing music was sinful and against Islam. Now, one school is trying to plant the seeds of rebirth for Afghanistan’s musical heritage, despite...

Overview She is My Son - Afghanistan’s Bacha Posh, when girls become boys - 26 min., RT ANO TV - Novosti, 2016, Director Alexander Avilov, Author Artyom Vorobey (In patriarchal Afghanistan, women’s rights are severely restricted. Female family members are expected to stay at home and take care of the children. They have little access to education, and are discouraged from getting a job. It’s a society that condemns women who play sports, and even leaving the house without a male relative by her side can...