5 Documentaries that Raise Issues of Gender Justice, One of Which Won an Oscar

Kapanlagi.com - Have you ever watched a film that made you realize that the world is still not fair for everyone? Gender justice is not just about women vs men, but more about how everyone can have equal opportunities without being limited by stigma or unreasonable rules.

Through films, we can see many inspiring stories about people who dare to fight against injustice and strive to change the system.

There are films that highlight the true stories of women who have to work extra hard in male-dominated environments, and there are also documentaries that show how the media often frames women in unfair ways.

Some films make us frustrated with the injustices that still exist today, while others can motivate us to contribute to change.

These films are not just for entertainment, but also make us more aware of equality!

1. Miss Representation (2011)

Director: Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Production: Girls Club Entertainment

This documentary discusses how the media shapes societal perceptions of women and how biased representations can harm women in various aspects of life, including politics, business, and leadership.

The film features interviews with prominent figures such as Condoleezza Rice, Geena Davis, and Oprah Winfrey. One important point raised is how women are often reduced solely to their physical appearance in the media, which impacts the low representation of women in positions of power.

2. He Named Me Malala (2015)

Scene He Named Me Malala. (Photo: IMDb)

Director: Davis Guggenheim
Production: Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Participant Media

This film tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a female activist from Pakistan who advocates for girls' right to education. Malala became a target of a Taliban attack in 2012 due to her vocal advocacy for education.

After surviving an assassination attempt, she continued her advocacy on the world stage, becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in history.

This documentary features interviews with Malala and her family and highlights the struggle for women's rights in access to education in developing countries.

3. RBG (2018)

Scene from the film RBG. (Photo: IMDb)

Director: Betsy West & Julie Cohen
Production: CNN Films, Storyville Films

This film is a documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a United States Supreme Court Justice known as an icon of feminism and a champion of women's rights.

The documentary explores her life journey, from her youth to becoming one of the most influential legal figures in the US.

RBG is known for her decisions supporting gender equality, including landmark cases that dismantled discrimination against women in the law. The film also highlights how she became a symbol of strength and inspiration for younger generations.

4. Period. End of Sentence. (2018)

Scene Period. End of Sentence. (Photo: IMDb)

Director: Rayka Zehtabchi
Production: The Pad Project

This Oscar-winning short film highlights the stigma of menstruation in India, where many women lack access to sanitary pads and adequate knowledge about reproductive health.

The documentary follows the stories of women in a village in India who learn to make and distribute their own sanitary pads to address health issues and social stigma.

The film emphasizes how something considered taboo can have a significant impact on women's lives and how women's empowerment can begin with access to basic necessities.

5. Feminists: What Were They Thinking? (2018)

Cover Feminists: What Were They Thinking?. (Photo: Netflix)

Director: Johanna Demetrakas
Production: Netflix

This documentary explores the feminist movement in the United States from the 1970s to the present, comparing the social changes that have occurred over the past decades.

The film features interviews with feminist figures such as Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Gloria Steinem, who share their views on how feminism has evolved and the challenges women still face in achieving equality.

This documentary also highlights how issues such as reproductive rights, wage inequality, and sexual harassment remain relevant today.

(kpl/mfd)