Petra
Under the patronage of Princess Basma bint Talal, the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Women’s Commission, the activities of the 11th edition of the “Women’s Film Week” festival kicked off on Sunday evening at the Rainbow Cinema in Amman.
Her Highness said, in a recorded speech delivered via visual communication technology, that choosing innovation and technology as a slogan to celebrate Women’s Film Week this year reflects the importance of technology that provides valuable opportunities for everyone, including marginalized groups in some societies, which often include women.
Her Highness stressed the importance of women employing technology to serve their causes and enhance their understanding in this field, and work to address technical illiteracy among women everywhere, referring in this context to the benefits achieved by women in the field of education through the Internet.
She pointed out the need to address the misuse of technology, which is the manifestations of bullying women on the Internet, and to strengthen the role of the concerned authorities and companies in this field.
Her Highness expressed her thanks to the United Nations Women’s Commission for organizing the Women’s Film Week, praising the role of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan and all those responsible for the success of this important annual event.
For her part, the Minister of Social Development, Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee for the Empowerment of Women, Wafa Bani Mustafa, said that art plays a major role in changing society’s view of women, and that it can be a global and cross-border ambassador, with the aim of portraying women’s true reality and their position in each of their families, environments and society. .
In her turn, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sherry Ritsema-Anderson, stressed in a speech during the festival that the “Women’s Film Week” is related to two important issues: achieving equality for women and promoting culture and the arts.
She added that the films shown will strengthen the voice of women and girls around the world, and motivate moving forward towards a more inclusive and just world, one free of violence.
For his part, the Director General of the Royal Film Commission, Muhannad Al-Bakri, explained that the “Women’s Film Week” comes to reaffirm the importance of cinema and visual and sound arts in highlighting the contributions and successes of women.
Al-Bakri stressed that the partnership of the Royal Film Commission with the United Nations strengthens the role of women in society.
The artistic director of the festival, director Ghada Saba, said that women have always played an important role in shaping the world of technology and innovation, as the “Women’s Film Week” festival aims to highlight their achievements and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in this field.
At the end of the opening ceremony, the short film “Abiya” (production 2022) was screened. It revolves around Syrian refugees living in Jordan, where “Abiya,” the desperate wife, searches for salvation from the oppression of traditional marriage and the abusive behavior of her husband.
Film screenings will be held under the theme “Digitization for All: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, as part of the United Nations celebration of International Women’s Day.
This Monday evening, the films “Victim of Harassment” (production 2023) will be shown at 6:00 pm, and “Their Movies” (production 2020), noting that entry to the films is free.