The documentary short Period. End Of Sentence. just took home Best Documentary Short at the 91st Academy Awards, and the team’s thank you speech was iconic.
The short follows women in a rural Indian village as they tackle menstruation stigmatisation, make their own affordable sanitary pads and work towards financial independence. It was directed by 25-year-old Rayka Zehtabchi and released on Netflix last year.
Zehtabchi opened her thank you speech with, “I’m not crying because I’m on my period or anything! I can’t believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!” and producer Melissa Berton capped it off with, “A period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education”.
It was a pretty powerful moment considering it was taking place on stage during Hollywood’s most prestigious award ceremony, and considering how stigmatised periods are around the world, and it clearly resonated with people.
menstruation should EGOT
— the royal baby (@pilotviruet) February 25, 2019
"I'm not crying because I'm on my period or anything," says the sobbing Oscar short documentary winner for a film about menstrual rights, THIS IS THE BEST, MORE PERIOD-RELATED TALK ON THE STAGE PLEASE #Oscars2019
— Benjamin Law (@mrbenjaminlaw) February 25, 2019
Shoutout to a period movie I’m in solidarity rn
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) February 25, 2019
A movie about that icky thing known as menstruation just won an Academy Award.
"A period should end a sentence not a girl's education." Amen sister#Oscars— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) February 25, 2019
If the speech got you fired up about the issue, firstly, watch the documentary on Netflix, and secondly, check out organisations like Days for Girls International or The Pad Project.
If you’re good with a sewing needle, you can register to sew a Days for Girls kit. Days for Girls provides sanitary products to girls and women around the world, and relies on volunteers to sew the reusable shields and liners included in the kits. You can find a local group to join, or register as an independent sewist.
If not, never fear – you can still support The Pad Project, the group involved with Period. End of Sentence. They liaise with activists who have expressed interest in the machine featured in the documentary that makes affordable and biodegradable menstruation products, and help raise enough money for a machine and one years’ worth of supplies for that town or village. You can donate to them here.
These are incredibly worthwhile causes, because, in the words of Oscar winner Berton, “a period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education”.
'Period. End of Sentence' wins Best Documentary Short: "You are empowering women from all over the world to fight for menstrual equality" https://t.co/cd43lbssdk #Oscars pic.twitter.com/R0xrgdNS8u
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019