Why would a young woman flee her family and leave everything behind? BBC Russian's Zlata Onufrieva has been following the journeys of three women who've decided to run away from their homes in the Russian republic of Chechnya. Her documentary, Don't look for me, is part of the BBC 100 Women series. To find out more about the other inspiring and influential women on this year's list go to bbc.co.uk/100women. You can also follow BBC 100 Women on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, a social and cultural history of South Asian cornershops, with Ahsan Yunus from BBC Urdu. Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
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Welcome to the documentary from the BBC World Service.
The 5th Floor.
The 5th Floor.
The 5th Floor.
This is the 5th Floor at the heart of global storytelling with BBC journalists from all around the world.
World.
I'm your host, Paranak Ami D.
Why would a woman feel the need to run away from home, leaving everything behind and simply disappearing?
My decision to leave was driven by a desire for freedom and fulfillment.
I was dreaming of studying, working, traveling and living independently.
Freedom is when you can say what.
You want and you're not afraid of being judged or threatened.
These are the voices of Lia and Aminat.
They are two young women who fled their homes and cut all ties with their families in Chechnya, a Russian republic in the North Caucasus region.
Zlata Onufrieva from BBC Russian has been looking into their stories.
Zlata is in the studio with me.
It's so good to have you on the fifth floor.
Hi.
Thank you for having me.