In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has made efforts to increase gender equality. According to UN Women, the country has signed more than 50 international agreements on women’s rights, and has many laws designed to ensure the equal status of men and women.

However, patriarchal attitudes are still pervasive in the deeply traditional Central Asian republic, which is bordered by China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Kyrgyz women are largely excluded from political decision-making, and gender-based violence – including domestic abuse and the disturbing practice of ‘bride kidnapping’, where women are abducted and forced into marriage – is widespread.

It is against this backdrop that 19-year-old Kyrgyz pop singer Zere released a music video for her song Kyz (“Girl”), a feminist anthem about women’s empowerment. The track has sparked outrage in Kyrgyzstan, thanks to the outfit Zere wears in the video – a short skirt and a lacy purple bra underneath a black blazer – and its lyrics, which denounce controlling men.

Since the video went viral on YouTube, Zere has reportedly received death threats from people in Kyrgyzstan.

This singer is receiving death threats for performing in her bra