Watch Equal Means Equal

Equal Means Equal is a powerful documentary film directed by Kamala Lopez, released in 2016. It explores the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the United States, covering topics such as reproductive rights, sexual assault, and the gender wage gap. The film opens with a series of shocking statistics about the current state of women's rights in America. For example, one in five women will be victims of rape or attempted rape during their lifetime. Women earn on average only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, and this gap is even wider for women of color. Women comprise only 19% of Congress, and just 5% of Fortune 500 CEO positions. These numbers set the stage for the rest of the documentary, which seeks to examine the systemic issues that lead to gender inequality.

One of the most powerful aspects of Equal Means Equal is the personal stories shared by the women interviewed in the film. Leslie Acoca, a social worker who specializes in helping women in prison, talks about the particular challenges faced by incarcerated women. They are often subjected to physical and sexual abuse, forced into solitary confinement, and denied vital medical treatment.

Beth Adubato, a domestic abuse survivor and advocate, shares her experiences of navigating the legal system. She recounts how she was denied a restraining order against her abuser because the judge believed that "boys will be boys." Brigitte Alexander, a military veteran and sexual assault survivor, speaks about the culture of impunity that exists in the armed forces. She explains how sexual assault is often not reported due to the fear of retaliation, and how little is done to help survivors get the medical and psychological care they need.

Throughout the film, Lopez weaves together these personal stories with interviews from experts in law, policy, and activism. She specifically highlights the ways in which current laws and policies fail to protect women's rights. For example, the Hyde Amendment prevents federal funding from being used for abortion services, effectively denying this option to low-income women. The film also looks at how the justice system often fails women who report sexual assault, with fewer than 1 in 5 cases leading to a conviction.

Equal Means Equal makes a compelling case that gender inequality is a pervasive problem in American society, and that we must work together to address it. The film also highlights the intersectionality of this issue, showing how different forms of discrimination intersect and compound to create even greater oppression. For example, women of color face not only gender discrimination, but also racism and classism.

Despite the grim realities portrayed in the film, there is hope for change. Equal Means Equal highlights the work of activists and organizations who are fighting for women's rights and making progress in this area. For example, the film showcases the work of the National Women's Law Center, which fights for policies that ensure equal pay and opportunities for women. It also highlights the activism of organizations like #MeToo, which has helped to bring attention to the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment.

Overall, Equal Means Equal is a powerful and important film that shines a light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality in America. It is a call to action for all of us to do our part to create a more just and equitable society.

Equal Means Equal is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 71.