The IncludED Watchlist: Part 1
Women’s day has passed, but the conversation continues. This week, we’re sharing films and documentaries that challenge stereotypes, highlight inequalities, and inspire action.
We’ve handpicked a selection of movies and documentaries that do more than just inform, they provoke thought, spark dialogue, and encourage change. These stories shine a light on how gender roles are reinforced from an early age and how their ramifications manifest later in life, while also exploring ways to create a more equitable future. Whether you watch them yourself, share them in classrooms, or discuss them with friends, each film offers a lens into the complexities of gender in education, childhood, and beyond.
Here are some must-watch films and documentaries:
Girl Rising (2013)
Education is not just about literacy, it’s about empowerment, independence, and breaking cycles of inequality. This powerful documentary tells the stories of nine girls from different countries, including India, Nepal, Ethiopia, Peru, and Afghanistan, who overcome immense challenges to pursue education. Through a blend of real-life storytelling and visually striking dramatizations, Girl Rising highlights the systemic barriers that keep millions of girls out of school; child marriage, bonded labor, human trafficking, cultural stigmas, and extreme poverty. Narrated by influential voices like Meryl Streep, Priyanka Chopra, and Anne Hathaway, the film brings these deeply personal yet universal struggles to life.
Where to Watch: Available on YouTube Movies and Amazon Prime Video.
The Mask You Live In (2015)
Conversations about gender often focus on the challenges women and girls face, but rigid gender norms also have a profound impact on boys. From a young age, many boys are taught to suppress their emotions, equating vulnerability with weakness. This societal pressure to conform to an outdated notion of masculinity can have lasting consequences on mental health, leading to increased stress, difficulty in forming meaningful relationships, and even higher rates of substance abuse and suicide. This eye-opening documentary by Jennifer Siebel Newsom explores how boys in the U.S. are socially conditioned to conform to rigid definitions of masculinity from an early age. Through interviews with psychologists, educators, and young boys, the film uncovers how suppressing emotions can lead to mental health struggles, aggression, and difficulties in relationships. It also challenges the "boys don't cry" mentality and highlights the need for a more emotionally supportive upbringing.
Where to Watch: Available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Youtube.
He Named Me Malala (2015)
When girls receive an education, they are less likely to be forced into early marriage, more likely to earn higher incomes, and more equipped to raise healthier families. Yet, in many parts of the world, access to schooling is still a privilege, not a right. From societal norms that prioritize boys’ education to extremist groups that view educated girls as a threat, millions of girls are denied their fundamental right to learn. Malala Yousafzai’s story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to stand up against these injustices and the ripple effect of investing in girls’ education.This moving documentary follows the life of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who survived a Taliban attack after advocating for girls' education. Through personal interviews and archival footage, it offers an intimate look into her relationship with her father, her resilience, and her mission to ensure education for all. Malala’s story is a testament to the power of education in transforming lives and breaking gender barriers.
Where to Watch: Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
Each of these films offers a compelling perspective on how gender norms influence education, aspirations, and opportunities.
 | A guest post by
|