Empowerment Through Periods

A Review of the Documentary "Period. End of Sentence" on Netflix

Watched the documentary ("Period. End of Sentence," available on Netflix) recently, and the profound impact of menstrual stigma and the transformative power of education and empowerment that are vividly portrayed left me spellbound.

"Period. End of Sentence" serves as a rallying cry for global action to destigmatize menstruation and ensure menstrual equity for all. It inspires viewers to confront injustice, challenge norms, and pave the way for a more inclusive world.

Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi and produced by Melissa Berton, the film takes viewers to Hapur, a village in India, where menstruation is shrouded in shame and discrimination. Here, women face immense challenges due to limited access to menstrual hygiene products and deeply ingrained cultural taboos. However, a group of local women, inspired by an entrepreneurial spirit, challenged the status quo by producing affordable sanitary pads with a low-cost, biodegradable machine. Their initiative not only provides access to menstrual hygiene but also dismantles age-old taboos and patriarchal structures.

I wouldn't call this craft of cinema an eye-opener, we all already have our eyes wide open in this subject matter. I would like to call it a thoughtful nudge, a reminder towards taking a meaningful step and time and again acknowledging that the goddesses that we worship, and fast for, are within these girls and women.

As we embrace the lessons of this film, companies like Saathi, Woloo, Carmesi, Pee Safe, Safetipin, Heyday, Soch Green, Sirona, Azah, Everteen, Plush, Anandi and Papaya, are committing to building a future where periods and women's hygiene are not the ends of a sentence but the beginning of a new chapter in the fight for gender equality and human dignity, deserving much due credit for their groundbreaking efforts in this space.