ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the introduction of the 'virtue campaign' for women subsequent to Ramzan Kadyrov's rise to power in Chechnya. The 'virtue campaign' for women in Chechnya has been a key project for Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, since he consolidated power in Chechnya. In 2005 and into early 2006, Ramzan Kadyrov's political power grew substantially and in spring 2006, he became prime minister of Chechnya. Islamic High Councils exist in all Russian regions with significant Muslim population and regulate the religious affairs of local Islamic communities, and the Islamic High Council for Chechnya has made no secret of their endorsement of the virtue campaign. Women's rights activists in Chechnya across the board have reported their belief that so-called honor killings have become more frequent in Chechnya with the evolvement of Kadyrov's virtue campaign. The continuation of the 'virtue campaign' and consequent violations of the rights of women will persist as long as perpetrators, and even encouraged, by the state.
