“We can use our creative work to speak up about things that matter to us.”
- Aynura Erejepbaeva
Aynura Erejepbaeva uses traditional Karakalpak embroidery to communicate the messages that she wants the world to see related to causes she deeply cares about. The young Uzbekistanian is an environmental, cultural, and gender equality activist from a small village in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region within the country.
She spent several years assisting her community as a spokesperson against the effects of climate change and its contributions to the Aral Sea crisis. The 18-year-old is also a strong proponent for women's education and empowerment, and serves as a voice for the protection of Karakalpak culture in the face of globalisation.
Civic space in Uzbekistan is considered closed. In 2022, protests against the government’s proposed plans to remove Karakalpak’s autonomous status turned violent.
“As a post-Soviet country like Uzbekistan, it’s challenging to talk about the issues women face, as I’m often referred to as ‘too liberal, too feminist, too western’. That’s not a true reflection of me,” said the young artist.
For her spotlight as a Global Citizen emerging creative, Erejepbaeva created an embroidery piece which she said "represents the resilience of a Karakalpak woman — a mother, sister, and daughter, who are diligent and hard-working.”
She added: “The patterns surrounding the picture not only symbolise luck and growth but also reflect the fragile beauty of the Aral Sea, mirroring the delicate balance of hope and hardship faced by the Karakalpak community.”
MENTORS: Travis Labela & Jacquline Reyno | Award-winning filmmakers
AYNURA'S WORK
Global Citizen’s Emerging Creatives Program provides a platform for emerging creatives in the Global South that are highlighting the need for open civic space worldwide. Through their art, they call for change, shine a light on social injustices, and advocate for the advancement of the Global Goals.
MEET THE MENTOR
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POET
South African-born Simphiwe Molefe, uses his photography to show the impacts of energy issues in the country. His collection of images titled, Impilo Iyaqhubeka, translates to mean “life goes on” in isiZulu and looks at how every day members of his community cope with South Africa’s ongoing power crisis.
In 2023, South Africa’s civic space rating was downgraded from “narrowed,” to “obstructed” — the third worst rating a country can have. That’s why Molefe believes creatives like himself have a role to play in highlighting the effects of the failure of basic services such as the power crisis in South Africa.