The power of film

I recently saw the documentary The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo, directed by Lisa F Jackson, an American filmmaker. The documentary highlighted the plight of women in Congo; women who have been exposed to the sexual assault that has, somehow, become a common affliction in war-ridden areas of the world. The documentary provides an insight into the risks that women in a war-ridden country are exposed to. It highlights not just the physical injuries but also the coping mechanisms these women use. It tells us how they build on their inner strength to reach out to the other victims, offering support to them and how they have found the courage to put forward the issue in front of the concerned authorities. Overall, the documentary was a poignant and powerful source of communication.

The promotion of such productions and documentaries — on local and international levels — can be an effective source of disseminating information, about the issues being faced by women in a society, or anyone, for that matter.

Women, all around the world, have long been exposed to the discriminatory practices at the workplace, they face hurdles that slow down their pace of progress and movement up the corporate ladder, the recruitment of females on top authority positions in organisations is low and the difficulties women face in attaining eminent positions in political parties are all issues that need individual attention.

Issue-based documentaries can raise awareness amongst the people. Females can relate to the content at display and males can understand how the discriminatory practices upset the former. Individuals at the top, the ones holding powerful positions, can also use this medium to understand and develop appropriate policies and regulations.

Jackson’s documentary has not only created awareness, but it also encouraged support groups to provide aid to these women. Congo, as an underdeveloped country, is in need of medical facilities and proper regulation of healthcare for women. The distribution of such content can trigger chains of positive events that can help those suffering, with moral, social and monetary support from a number of external sources.

Sometimes, simple words of encouragement are also enough to help one recover from any trauma experienced.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2013.