Hujum (; in Turkic languages, storming or assault, from ) was a series of policies and actions taken by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, initiated by Joseph Stalin, to remove all manifestations of gender inequality, especially on the systems of female veiling and seclusion practiced in Central Asia. The era was often symbolized by the burning of the face-veil that women in the Muslim majority areas of the Soviet Union wore, but removal of the veil was not the sole goal of the campaign. The party began re-emphasizing their messages women's liberation within class consciousness. By abolishing them in Central Asia and heralding in women's liberation, the Soviets believed they could clear the way for the construction of socialism. The campaign's purpose was to rapidly change the lives of women in Muslim societies so that they may participate in public life, paid work, education, and ultimately membership in the Communist Party. It was originally conceived to enforce laws that gave women in patriarchal societies equality by creating literacy programs and bringing women into the labor force. The program was initiated on Women's Day, 8 March 1927, and it was a change from the Bolshevik policy of religious freedom for the Muslims in Central Asia. Contrary to its aim, Hujum was seen by many Muslims as outside foreigners, namely Russians, attempting to force their culture upon the indigenous population of Tajiks, Tatars, and Uzbeks. The veil inadvertently became a cultural identity marker. Wearing it became an act of religious and political defiance, and a sign of support for ethnic nationalism. However, over time the campaign was a success—female literacy rates increased, while polygamy, honor killing, underage marriage, and use of the veil diminished. Pre-Soviet traditions Veiling in Central Asia was intricately related to class, ethnicity, and religious practice. Prior to Soviet rule, Nomadic Kazakh, Kirgiz, and Turkmen women used a yashmak, a veil that covered only the mouth. The yashmak was applied in the presence of elders and was rooted in Mediterranean and West Asian customs (see namus). Tatars emigrating from Russia were unveiled. Though Muslim, they had been under Russian rule since the 17th century and were in many ways Europeanized. Only settled Uzbeks and Tajiks had strict veiling practices, which Tamerlane supposedly initiated. Even among this population, veiling depended on social class and location. Urban women veiled with (face veil) and paranja (body veil), although the cost