Nine videos to help you talk about women’s human rights in the classroom

By Bashayer Aljaber, Amnesty Speaker Programme Volunteer

Short films and videos can be useful conversation starters for teachers, educators, facilitators or anyone wishing to learn more about human rights. Here are some freely available films about women’s human rights.

There may be content that is unsuitable for some audiences, therefore we recommend you watch each clip in full to check that its suitable before you use it in an educational setting.

1. Amnesty International: Sexual and reproductive rights animation

Women should be free to choose how to live their lives. This animation demonstrates the importance of making your own decisions concerning your body, sexuality and health.

2. Amnesty International: End the abortion ban in El Salvador

The current ban in El Salvador results in the detention of many innocent women and girls. This video shows how this ban affected 17-year-old Claudia’s life and violated her rights.

3. Amnesty International: The unusual suspects

Women in Ireland face 14 years in prison if they have an abortion. Healthcare practitioners who assist them also face hefty punishment. More about abortion in Ireland and Northern Ireland

4. THE WHY: What Ami did not know

Many countries lack the basic facilities for women to give birth safely - putting both them and their newborn at great risk. This animation looks at maternal mortality in Sierra Leone, where maternal deaths are at an all-time high. Ami lost her mother as she gave birth to her and her twin brother.

5. Amnesty International: A Lesson from Burkina Faso

An animation following young girls forced into marriage before they are 18 years old - a disturbingly common problem in Burkina Faso.

6. Human Rights Watch: Child brides in Nepal

A seven-minute documentary about girls forced into marriage before they are 18. Nepal is one of the few states in Asia with ‘strong’ laws regarding child marriage, however the rate of early marriage is the third highest in the continent. Despite promises made by the Nepalese Government, 37% of girls are married before they turn 18. 

7. Amnesty International: What happens when the police fail us

An interview with Celia Peachey, who's mum Maria was murdered in the UK by a violent ex-partner. Maria had repeatedly asked the police to helped her, but was never given the support she needed. Celia used the Human Rights Act to uncover the truth about what happened to her mother.

8. Human Rights Watch: No freedom to travel

An animation looking at the ways in which women in Saudi Arabia are restricted from making decisions without the permission of a male guardian. From work, healthcare, travel, relationships - many of these require 'permission' in the Guardian system.

9. Conflict studies: Malala Yousafzai on women’s rights

The young advocate for girls’ education, Malala Yousafzai, speaks out about the importance of women’s rights. A victim of the Taliban for her views, she continuously and fearlessly speaks out against the ban on female education enforced by the Taliban. In 2014 she became the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate, for her courage and determination.   

For information and help

Early and forced marriage robs many young girls of their basic rights. For help and information regarding forced marriage, you can contact Karma Nirvana for specialist advice. Alternatively, Rights of Women offers free legal advice to women on a variety of issues.