Exhibition of Women's Testimonies: Kazakh Documentary Highlights Opinions from Nuclear-Impacted Regions
Growing up in the heart of Kazakhstan, Aigerim Seitenova never anticipated that the hushed whispers surrounding her community's nuclear past would catapult her into the global spotlight as an activist. Today, she stands tall as a feminist, human rights crusader, and a nuclear disarmament advocate, using her powerful platform to reignite conversations about the consequences of Soviet-era nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk site, while centering the voices of women who bears the brunt of the lingering scars.
Aigerim Seitenova, a firebrand feminist, human rights professional, and nuclear disarmament champion. Image Courtesy: Aigerim Seitenova
In an exclusive tête-à-tête with The Astana Times, Seitenova reveals how her self-discovery journey led her to unveil the untold tales of resilience and resistance, which would later become the focus of "Jara - Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan," her critically acclaimed documentary.
Reclaiming the narrative: the women of "Jara"
"Jara," which translates as a wound in Kazakhstan, is a compelling exploration of the lives of women from nuclear-affected regions, an area scarred by more than 400 Soviet nuclear tests. The film, screened at esteemed venues including the Church Center for the United Nations in New York and Harvard University, illuminates the oft-overlooked emotional, social, and cultural consequences of nuclear testing.
Aigerim Seitenova delivering a statement at the UN headquarters during 3MSP TPNW. Image courtesy: Seitenova's personal archives
Unlike other documentaries that emphasize the physical devastation and disability caused by nuclear testing, "Jara" focuses on the stigma and challenges women continue to face, highlighting their roles and leadership within local communities.
Seitenova's approach is not one of sensationalism but of authenticity, preferring to showcase the resilience and perseverance of these women rather than victimize them.
"There are hundreds of films about Kazakhstan's nuclear legacy. You can find them on YouTube, often made by Western journalists or filmmakers. They tend to focus on how Semei is 'the most nuked place on Earth,' with images of children with disabilities and all the horrors – of course, these horrors are real. But what I wanted was something different," said Seitenova.
"I didn't want to victimize my community. I didn't want to sensationalize," she added.
Instead, she presents these women not just as passive victims and survivors but as strong leaders advocating for change, offering a fresh perspective – one that celebrates women's agency in confronting nuclear injustice.
"I wanted this film to be a small step toward decolonizing how we tell our stories – to reclaim the narrative and center our voices," she said.
A personal quest for justice
Seitenova's unwavering commitment to nuclear justice is rooted deep within her personal and community history. Born into a third-generation family affected by nuclear testing in the area around the former Semipalatinsk test site, she sought to create a safe space for women to share their stories on their own terms.
"As someone from the affected community, I wanted to create a space where the women I interviewed felt safe and respected. Not objectified or pitied. Not sitting across from a man asking them to share intimate details, like how they were afraid to have children or couldn't," she said.
In her self-reflections, Seitenova revealed that before the idea for "Jara" began to take shape, she had already built a strong foundation in human rights advocacy in Kazakhstan, focusing on social justice and civic engagement. Her interest in nuclear disarmament deepened after attending an international conference in 2018 and later during her master's studies, where she delved into broader issues of gender, colonialism, and nuclear policy.
"But, in the summer of 2022, I had to pause and ask myself: I'm learning so much, I'm running in this field – but have I taken time to reflect personally? At the time, I was reading two books – one by Dr. Togzhan Kassenova, 'Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up the Bomb,' and the other by Ray Acheson, 'Banning the Bomb, Smashing the Patriarchy,'" said Seitenova.
"I realized how little Kazakhstan – and especially my region, Semei – has collectively reflected on this traumatic legacy. So I stopped and asked myself, what are my thoughts? How do I reflect on this? That's how the idea for my documentary started," she said.
Nuclear justice: a feminist lens
Seitenova's work focuses not only on nuclear disarmament but also on the intersection of nuclear issues with gender. She highlighted that nuclear weapons and militarism are inherently linked to patriarchal systems of power.
"Our societies, especially those shaped by militarism, are built in ways that nuclear weapons represent power. Countries that possess them often describe themselves as strong or superior. It's tied to this patriarchal idea that destruction equals strength. Meanwhile, peace, cooperation, and human rights are often feminized – seen as soft or weak," said Seitenova.
This gendered lens is central to her activism, as she challenges the dominant narrative that ties national strength to nuclear power, advocating instead for a world grounded in peace, justice, and care.
Pushing for policy change
While "Jara" serves as a vital tool for raising awareness about the lasting impacts of nuclear testing, Seitenova's aspirations extend beyond simply sharing these stories. She is also pushing for concrete action to improve the lives of those affected by nuclear testing, particularly in Kazakhstan.
The film premiere at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York. Image courtesy: Nagima Abuova / The Astana Times
"I hope people in power, in government, parliament, ministries, will see it and listen," she said, calling for legal reforms that ensure better social protection and healthcare for those affected by nuclear tests. She noted gaps in Kazakhstan's existing laws on nuclear test survivors, particularly the law on social protection of citizens affected by nuclear testing, which needs to be updated to serve families more effectively.
"Cancer screenings and medical infrastructure are often outdated," she said, highlighting the obstacles people in the Abai region, where the former nuclear test site is located, face when accessing medical care.
Kazakhstan's global leadership in disarmament
Seitenova's activism has landed her on the world stage, placing Kazakhstan in the limelight as a beacon of hope for nuclear disarmament.
"Kazakhstan deserves a lot of credit – it is possible to renounce nuclear arsenals, and Kazakhstan did it," said Seitenova, referring to the country's support for international agreements such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
"People often say Kazakhstan didn't have a choice, but the fact remains: we did give them up. That's the first lesson. The second is that Kazakhstan was one of the first countries in the world to pass a law supporting nuclear test survivors – back in 1992. I've been critical of how the law could be improved, but it is important to recognize that Kazakhstan has been pursuing nuclear justice since the early 1990s. That's something many other countries have failed to do – especially those responsible for nuclear harm," said Seitenova.
"The third lesson is Kazakhstan's role on the global stage. Our diplomats have done incredible work advocating for disarmament, initiating UN resolutions and even pushing for the establishment of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests on Aug. 29. Kazakhstan is one of the most active countries in this field," she added.
Empowerment, Hope, and the Future
Seitetova's documentary resonates with audiences worldwide, with its core message shining another light on the lives of women affected by nuclear testing, challenging the traditional norms and fighting for a future free from the devastating impact of nuclear weapons. Despite the challenges, Seitenova remains optimistic, finding inspiration in her community and the growing visibility of nuclear-affected voices in global discussions.
"Being part of those changes keeps me going," she said. "I feel that I've contributed in some small way to shifting the conversation, and that gives me strength. Because ultimately, we're advocating for peace, not an abstract idea."
- Aigerim Seitenova, a native of Qazaqstan, explores the lives of women from nuclear-affected regions in her documentary titled "Jara - Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan."
- The film, which premiered at esteemed venues like the Church Center for the United Nations in New York and Harvard University, highlights the emotional, social, and cultural consequences of nuclear testing on women's mental health and women's health, often overlooked in other documentaries.
- Science and health-and-wellness issues are key components of the documentary, with Seitenova emphasizing the need for updated cancer screenings and medical infrastructure, particularly in regions like Abai, to address the ongoing challenges faced by nuclear test survivors.
- In addition to focusing on climate-change and environmental-science, Seitenova's work incorporates a feminist perspective, examining the link between patriarchy, militarism, and nuclear weapons, and advocating for a world grounded in peace, justice, and care.
- The documentary has garnered attention in the general-news and politics sectors, highlighting Seitenova's role as a human rights professional and nuclear disarmament champion, as well as Kazakhstan's global leadership in nuclear disarmament efforts.
- The documentary's core message encourages the empowerment of women affected by nuclear testing, offering a ray of hope for a future free from the devastating impact of nuclear weapons.
