Saint Mary's College student organizations, Feminists United and She's the First, are sponsoring a screening of "It's a Girl," a film documenting the cultural "war against girls" in India and China.
"We're sponsoring the movie because we believe it is important to raise awareness about specific global issues affecting women such as female gendercide," senior president of Feminist United BrittaniHradsky said.
According to the "It's a Girl" movie website, the documentary reveals the reality faced by many women and girls around the world. The website said,
"The film tells the stories of abandoned and trafficked girls, of women who suffer extreme dowry-related violence, of brave mothers fighting to save their daughters' lives and of other mothers who would kill for a son."
Hradksy said raising awareness of gender-related issues is one of Feminists United's goals.
"We stand for equal rights for women and men," Hradsky said, "Part of our mission is to educate other students about current women's issues. Our goal of hosting the screening [is to] open the opportunity for discussion."
The documentary illuminates the general prevalence of the issue in countries like India and China, where women and girls are commonly victims of murder and violence simply because of their gender, said Hradsky. "We believe the film is a really important opportunity to highlight current global injustices that warrant our attention," Hradsky said.
She said she hopes the showing will be well attended by students, "particularly students who are not familiar with the issue of gendercide and policies that influence it".
"For example [one policy is] China's one child rule," Hradsky said. "The movie also details some of the cultural and political influences that serve to reinforce the widespread subjugation of women and girls."
The suggestion to sponsor a showing of "It's a Girl" originated from the Saint Mary's Feminists United's faculty advisor, professor SonaliniSapra, and quickly received support from the student members.
"This event is important to all ... of Feminist United," Hradsky said. "We have a passion for equality and women's issues, and we want to be active in spreading this interest. Our goal is to support, empower, educate and challenge our fellow students."
She said she hopes to have at least 50 students come out to attend the showing and participate in the panel discussion afterward.
Feminists United asks students to learn of the severity of the issues that women and girls still face in the world today, Hradsky said.
Hradsky said, "We want to show others how to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
