Forgotten Wings Documentary
Giving voice to women across South Asia impacted by criminalised abortion, sexual violence, and outdated laws.
The documentary aspires to combat secrecy, denial, and stigma surrounding abortion, reclaim women's narratives from guilt and shame, and encourage women to acknowledge their pasts and seek support.
About the Documentary
Forgotten Wings gives voice to women across South Asia — in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal — who have been impacted by criminalised abortion, sexual violence, and outdated laws that silence their experiences. Led by filmmaker Pavithra Perera, the documentary weaves together personal testimony, investigative journalism, and expert analysis to tell a story the world needs to hear.
The Issue
In Sri Lanka, abortion has been criminalised since 1883 under Penal Code sections 303–306 — laws that have remained unchanged for over 140 years. Despite Sri Lanka ratifying CEDAW in 1981, the country continues to criminalise abortion, leaving women without safe options or legal protection.
The impact extends far beyond one nation. Globally, there are 21.6 million unsafe abortions each year, with 10.8 million occurring in Asia alone. Women across the region face the same intersection of stigma, silence, and legal barriers.
Structure
The documentary follows a four-part narrative arc:
- The Narrator's Story — A deeply personal account that anchors the film in lived experience.
- The Search for Other Voices — Journeying across South Asia to find women willing to share their truths.
- Expert Analysis — Legal scholars, medical professionals, and human rights advocates provide context and urgency.
- A Path to Resolution — Exploring what change looks like — in law, in culture, and in the lives of women.
Current Status
The script is complete and the project is in pre-production. We are actively seeking funding to move into production — covering filming across multiple countries, post-production, and distribution.