docUNight: Smoke Sauna Sisterhood
Filmed in a UNESCO-listed traditional South Estonian smoke sauna, the documentary captures raw conversations among women as they share their most intimate stories of body image, desires, sexual violence, and resilience. The film portrays womanhood in its most vulnerable and natural form, as the women come together to heal both minds and bodies through the power of shared experiences and the rituals of the sacred smoke sauna. The documentary has received widespread acclaim, earning multiple awards, including the European Film Award for Best Documentary.
During this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, join us in fostering dialogue about gender-based violence through this raw portrait of womanhood.
This docUNight is co-hosted by UN Women (the UN organisation dedicated to gender equality) and the Estonian Embassy in Copenhagen.
Disclaimer:
This film contains scenes with nudity, references to sex, and vivid descriptions of violence and harm that some viewers may find distressing. While Smoke Sauna Sisterhood also portrays moments of strength, connection, and healing, certain scenes may feel emotionally intense to experience alone. We encourage you to watch the film with a friend, colleague, or loved one if you feel this would provide additional support.
PG rating: 11+ years.
Run time: 1h 29 minutes
Language: Estonian (with English subtitles)
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please bring a valid photo-ID to get through security at UN City and set aside time for the security check prior to the event.
Please note that the check-in will open at 16:00 and close at 16:50.
It will not be possible to enter UN City after this time. Please DO NOT book tickets under your name for someone else.
Please reserve each ticket under each person’s name due to the security check upon entry to UN City.
Refreshments (soft drinks and snacks) will be available for purchase between 16:00–17:00. You are also welcome to bring your own water bottles and snacks to UN City.
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PROGRAMME
17:00 Welcome Remarks
17:10 Screening of ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’
18:40 Interview with Anna Hints, film director (joining virtually)
18:55 High-Level Dialogue with:
- H.E. Andre Pung – Ambassador of Estonia to Denmark
- Sofia Calltorp – Director, UN Women Nordic Liaison Office
- moderated by Noa Valentin Katz Søgaard – Head of UN City Communications
19:30 Informal Networking
20:00 End of event
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ABOUT 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December 2025, is a global campaign that highlights violence against women as a critical human rights issue.
Why We Must Eliminate Violence Against Women
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it. In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual, and psychological forms, encompassing:
- intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);
- sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
- human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
- female genital mutilation; and
- child marriage.
As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – one of the most progressive international agreements on women’s rights to date – the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE 2025 campaign focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls. This year’s campaign is also a reminder that digital safety is central to gender equality.
Learn more about the 16 Days.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITION – ‘I WAS BORN A GIRL’:
Ahead of the screening, you are invited to experience the art exhibition I Was Born a Girl, on display in the lobby of UN City Copenhagen during the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. The exhibition is organised by UNFPA, together with UN Women and the Embassy of Finland in Copenhagen.
The project was born in 2022, when artist Minna Pietarinen and co-founder Peppi Stünkel decided to create an initiative dedicated to the rights of girls and women, through the gentle yet powerful fusion of art and poetry.
The exhibition premiered in Mexico City on International Women’s Day 2023 and has since toured Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, including a showcase at the Palais des Nations in Geneva during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
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About UN Women:
UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
As the lead UN entity on gender equality and secretariat of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, UN Women shifts laws, institutions, social behaviors, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls
UN Women’s partnerships with governments, women’s movements, and the private sector coupled with its coordination of the broader United Nations, translate progress into lasting changes. UN Women makes strides forward for women and girls in four areas: leadership, economic empowerment, freedom from violence, and women, peace and security, as well as humanitarian action.
Learn more about UN Women.
About UN City Copenhagen:
UN City Copenhagen is a hub for the Sustainable Development Goals where UN agencies collaborate, share knowledge, and work with partners from across governments, the private sector, academia, youth networks, and civil society in the Nordics and around the world. UN City comprises 2 campuses. Campus 1 on Marmormolen opened in July 2013 and houses 10 UN organisations with 1,700+ personnel from 100+ countries. Campus 2, located on Oceanvej, constitutes UNICEF’s Global Supply Hub – with a total storage capacity of 36,000 pallets, it is the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world.