Film Screening: JARA – Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan

Amidst the vast steppes and boundless horizon, Kazakh land bears the scars of devastation and man-made catastrophe. JARA – Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan is an independent documentary that unearths the tragic legacy of environmental destruction and human suffering caused by 40 years of nuclear testing on Kazakh land.

The word “Jara” means “a wound“ in the Kazakh language. Nuclear wounds have spread across millions of things – humans, animals, insects, water, air, and soil. Ionizing radiation has cursed millions of people across past, present, and future generations.

Through this self-exploration and six testimonies from women in nuclear-affected regions, the film delves into the gendered impact of radiation: state-sponsored and technology-driven gender-based violence, the social and cultural consequences of technocratic governance, and militarization. At the same time, the film highlights women’s roles and their leadership within local communities.

Event Speakers:

Aigerim Seitenova: Filmmaker, Producer, and Co-Founder of Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition
Rochelle Ruthchild: Historian with expertise in women’s and gender studies.