Artist Kubra Khademi was so enraged by the constant sexual harassment faced by women in Afghanistan that she created a
bespoke suit of armour, forged out of metal with exaggerated
breasts and buttocks. The idea came from an experience she
had many years earlier, as a little girl, walking along a street
and encountering a male stranger who would sexually assault
her - at the time she wished she was wearing "iron underwear"
to protect her. In March 2015 Kubra wore her custom-made
armour and decided to walk down Kabul's busiest street. The
reaction to her performance was life-changing - she received
death threats and was forced to flee her home.
Kubra's now living in France where she's a successful artist,
recognised for her work celebrating the female body. Some of
her art is currently showing at the SOAS Gallery in the
exhibition (Un)Layering the future past of South Asia: Young
artists' voices.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or
WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
(Photo: Kubra Khademi being leered at during her armour
performance in Kabul, 2015. Credit: Naim Karim)
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