Chechnya prepares to mark Day of Chechen Woman

On September 19, Chechnya will celebrate the Day of Chechen Woman, constituted last year. Khadizha Dulaeva, assistant of the President of Chechnya, is the head of the organizing committee. Residents of the republic treat the new holiday with scepticism.

Within the holiday events, they plan to give lectures at educational establishments on women's role in the Chechen society. "We should bring to every resident of our republic, in particular, the young generation, the essence of this holiday, its history, to what this holiday is dated, and what the Chechen woman should look like," Ramzan Kadyrov has emphasized.

People in the republic treat the Day of Chechen Woman with certain share of scepticism. "It will be another 'holiday for themselves,' as the recent tradition is here," said Markha T., a resident of the republic. "They will block half of the city, make a celebratory concert, present somebody with apartments, cars or money; and it will all be presented as the all-national holiday. Perhaps, also activists of youth organizations will march across the centre, swinging flags and shouting out some slogans."

Another local resident, Raisa, an employee of one of local NGOs, also believes that such holidays have nothing to do with ordinary citizens.

"Celebrating the Day of Chechen Woman, when these women are shelled, under the pretext that they don't wear headscarves or are 'dressed improperly,' with paintballs and are publicly humiliated, is just hypocrisy," she said.