Feminists defend Ingush singer Ragda Khanieva

Moral crusaders, who harassed Ragda Khanieva, a native of Ingushetia, after her appearance in a TV show, are themselves violating the tradition of banning public criticism of other people's daughter. Activists pointed to double standards voiced by social network users while assessing the actions of men and women.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Ragda Khanieva's appearance on "The Voice" TV show provoked disputes on social networks about violation of the Vainakh rules of decency. Critics demanded from Ragda Khanieva, who hugged strange men, to stop calling herself a native of Ingushetia. People of weight also joined the criticism of Ragda Khanieva, noted Janet Akhilgova, an activist of the "Development" Resource Centre in Nazran.

Harassment in social networks increases the risk of a real threat to life and health of a person, says Svetlana Anokhina, a journalist from Dagestan. She noted that the traditionalist approach to such issues infringes on women's rights.

"When Marem Alieva disappeared in Ingushetia, no one pointed a finger at her husband, although everyone knew that she had escaped because of domestic violence and disappeared after her return. However, no one demanded from her husband to stop calling himself an Ingush native," Svetlana Anokhina said.

Natalia Voikova, an activist of the "Anna" National Centre for Prevention of Violence, said that in Northern Caucasus, even rumours could provoke a tragedy.

Saida Sirazhudinova, the president of the Research Centre for Global Issues of Modernity and Regional Problems, also associates the harassment of Ragda Khanieva with the fact that some men were not happy with the professional achievements of women.

Marina Pisklakova-Parker, the director of the "Anna" National Centre for Prevention of Violence, notes that people who support the harassment of Ragda Khanieva refer to "the traditional values" just to distract attention from their own actions.