Asha Ismail: “At the entrance of this wooden house is the emblem of my NGO “Save a Girl. Save a Generation.”, which fights FGM, forced marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence. I decided to show the house because it symbolizes a safe space for girls and women.”

Binta Fatty: “I bought this doll in The Gambia for my daughter. It is important for me that she has dolls that are similar to us: dark-skinned and in traditional clothes, so that she knows that there are not only white-skinned toys, and that how we look is also the norm.”

Mariya Taher: “For the last two years I have been fond of pottery. The creation of ceramic products has a therapeutic effect: after weeks of work, seeing the result is priceless.”

Tasneem Perry: “This musical house, which plays Brahms' “Lullaby”, was given by my Dad to my Mom as a present for their engagement. It symbolizes my parents and my background, despite the fact that they allowed genital mutilation happen to me.”

Renee Bergstrom: “The repetitive movements in the weaving process have a calming effect on me. I also like the mathematical precision required when setting up the machine. I give my creations to relatives and friends who appreciate my creativity.”

Djavgarat (the name was changed as she wanted to stay anonymous): The character refused to give details about an object in fear of being recognized.

Jenny: The heroine wanted to show a heart-shaped gift that the medical center sent her after her sister became a heart donor. Jenny also wanted to add her deceased sister's ring. The day before the shooting, the heroine was attacked by relatives. They accused her of betraying the family and church by telling her story. As a "punishment", they used sexualized violence. Jenny was unable to take part in the shooting — this is a staged shot. 

"Violence is not a tradition" is a multimedia project about female genital mutilation produced by Daria Tickhonchuk and myself for Russian online media Afisha Daily. 

I’ve spoken with seven survivors from all over the world about their experiences and lives after FGM. Through Zoom, I filmed videos with the women and photographed objects that are important to them. Daria analysed both the social and law background of FGM in countries where women came from and live. 

Read more here: https://daily.afisha.ru/relationship/17282-istorii-zhenschin-iz-ssha-azii-rossii-i-stran-afriki-perezhivshih-obrezanie/ 

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=afisha+daily