PANDORA’S BOX OPENS MENSTRUAL EQUITY ISSUE

Today will mark the release of the film Pandora’s Box: Lifting the Lid on Menstruation by director Rebecca Snow. It’s the first-ever documentary of its kind presented by DivaCup. Along with millions of others across the globe, the issue of menstrual equity and gender equality needs to be addressed. 1 in 4 women in Canada has said that they have struggles in affording menstrual products. This has only worsened by the pandemic.

Pandora’s Box is an eye-opener and will have audiences in shock. There is much work to do around the world but it has to start in your own backyard. FERNTV spoke to director Rebecca Snow who is ready to change lives that heads into a hopeful era.

The Interview

FERNTV: You mention Kamala Harris while filming Pandora’s Box.  After being elected VP, do your goals change when it comes to menstrual and gender equity? 

Rebecca: Kamala Harris is a supporter of eliminating the so-called ’tampon tax’ in the US. As a senator, her state of California saw the temporary elimination of the sales tax on menstrual supplies in 2019. She was trying to get the dignity for Incarcerated Women bill put in place. It addressed the lack of menstrual products in federal prisons. These are both issues we highlight in the film. So yes, she has a great track record when it comes to Menstrual equity. That’s why I did a happy dance when she became VP. On top of the fact that she’s a woman, and a woman of colour, what a victory! 

FERNTV: With this being a broad issue, what was your plan of attack for this documentary? 

Rebecca: It’s quite overwhelming when someone asks to direct this type of documentary. It is, as you say a very far-reaching issue. I started by throwing myself into Jennifer Weiss-Wolf’s fantastic book on the subject ‘Periods Gone Public’. It sort of became my bible for how I wanted to tackle the issue. It became clear to me that we needed to focus on education, politics, stigmas, taboos, activism and the movement itself.

This allows us to get a big picture of why the issue of menstrual inequity even exists. It was also important for me to approach the various topics from a very human, very personal point of view. Finding amazing people is a way into some of the issues.  

Going Global

FERNTV: Tell us briefly what the experience was like to select the subjects from different cities across the world? 

Rebecca: We took a global look at menstrual inequity. Consequently, we filmed over four continents. From New York to London to Sub-Saharan Africa, and Mumbai. We reached out to some incredible organizations like Femme International who connected us with the grassroots projects and organizations. This is how we met some of our amazing subjects like Christine in Kenya and Sarika in Mumbai.  We meet people impacted by period poverty and menstrual inequity. As with all those trying to do something about it and it’s very inspiring. 

FERNTV: Comment on practices of women in third-world countries when it comes to menstrual equity.  Particularly, how far behind or  ahead are they from their first-world counterparts? 

Rebecca: Menstrual inequity is an issue everywhere. There are definitely some places where menstrual education is lacking more than others. We really looked into that in India, where the stigmas and taboos around menstruation are very strong. There are places where the lack of access to menstrual products has a greater impact. Especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the rate of girls dropping out of school because of menstruation is high. Whereas, many girls miss school in the UK because of their period.  

People who menstruate

FERNTV: Many of the stats in the film will say “1 in 10 people” rather than “1 in 10 women”.  For those who are not in the know, explain why you do so. 

Rebecca: We also talk about people who menstruate. As Carinne Chambers-Saini (CEO of Diva International, makers of the DivaCup) points out, not all people who menstruate are women. One of my favourite interviews I did was with model and activist Kenny Jones in London. He is one of the first trans men to openly talk about menstruating while trans. It was a fascinating conversation, as you’ll see in the film.

Incarcerated Women

FERNTV: Not having feminine products in jails is rather barbaric.  Why are most people only becoming aware of this now? 

Rebecca: This was an incredibly revealing interview in the film with Topeka K Sam. She is a formidable force for change in the US. She told us harrowing experiences of menstruating in federal and state US prisons. They can limit your supply of menstrual products, and even hold back products so inmates are menstruating without dignity. It really is a human rights issue.

I don’t think we talk about it. It’s because these are two very stigmatized and marginalized subjects – periods and incarcerated women. But Topeka and a bunch of other advocates have really raised their voices over this, and awareness is growing. Her charitable organization, Ladies of Hope Ministries, does great work. Such as advocating for women in and leaving the prison system in the US. 

FERNTV: What did you learn about yourself after putting this film together? 

Rebecca: That I’m way more of a feminist than I had previously thought! Menstrual inequity is a gender equality issue, and that makes me absolutely furious. I spend a lot more time nowadays thinking about how to smash the patriarchy.  

International Women’s Day

FERNTV: How do you think you will feel having this film take flight on International Women’s Day? 

Rebecca: What a perfect release date for the film! We played Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January 2020. Incidentally, one of our screenings coincided with the Women’s March where we marched and screened. That was such a great vibe. This feels like that. What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day. Certainly, by watching a documentary about the inspiring struggle for menstrual equity and gender equality.  

www.pandorasboxthefilm.com