Cinema as a reason to talk: women and psychologists analyze gender stereotypes at Vilna spaces
A familiar movie, a cup of coffee, and women who are nearby. This is how movie nights pass in the Vilna spaces. After watching, female visitors together with female psychologists analyze the stories of the heroines: the pressure of stereotypes, love and manipulations, and why it is so difficult to allow oneself to be oneself.
Vilna is a women- and girl-friendly space where anyone can receive comprehensive psychosocial support free of charge. Together with female specialists, women restore their inner resources, find new opportunities for development, and regain a sense of stability. Supported by Rokada, these spaces operate in Kyiv, Irpin, Kharkiv, Shostka, Chernihiv, and Sumy.
The movie night selection includes such films as Barbie, The Devil Wears Prada, Eat Pray Love, Pretty Woman, The Proposal, The Help, It Ends with Us, Alfie, and others.
The conversation reveals familiar stories in a whole new light.
“In fact, there are many films that have a much deeper meaning than it seems at first glance. Take, for example, Barbie, which points out the roles that society imposes on both women and men. On beauty standards and body acceptance. On the fact that a woman is valuable in herself, and not because she meets someone’s idea of the ‘ideal’ one. The images of Barbie and Ken became an occasion to reflect on the search for oneself, the need for recognition, and who you are outside the expectations of others,” explains psychologist Viktoria Mumindzhanova, adding that film analysis helps women rethink certain episodes of their own lives and evaluate them in a new way.
For Nataliia Yelisieieva from Sumy, these movie nights have become one of her favorite meetings in the space.
“The atmosphere here completely justifies its name: I feel free, in total safety, comfort, and warmth. Here, I recharge and receive support. Watching movies with a cup of coffee relaxes me, and the subsequent discussion with a professional psychologist turns an ordinary movie night into a therapeutic practice that allows me to better understand my own emotions. A huge thank you to the Vilna team for creating such a valuable and much-needed space in our city!” the woman shares.
The Vilna women- and girl-friendly space is implemented by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, with financial support provided by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the international development program of the Government of Ireland, Sweden, and the Government of Denmark, in cooperation with the Rokada Charitable Foundation.
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the leading UN agency focusing its work in the areas of gender equality, reproductive health, and youth capacity building. Together with partners, UNFPA works in 150 countries and territories worldwide, and in Ukraine since 1997.
For more information about UNFPA and its work in Ukraine: https://ukraine.unfpa.org/uk
