“We don’t need feminism, we need gender equality”- Mongolian women

Gender roles in Mongolia are well-defined, but when it comes to equality, the story is quite different from that of Europe. Even Chinggis Khan apparently sought advice from his mother and wife when making decisions. Traditionally, a woman’s wedding gift was a saddled horse—symbolising her ability to leave her husband if she chose to. Moreover, having children before marriage was not considered a bad thing at all, which contrasts sharply with European norms.

Yet, despite Mongolia being a patriarchal society, the role of women remains strong. In 2009, I travelled across the country, portraying feminists and listening to their perspectives on equality.