Watch Small Small Thing

Small Small Thing is a powerful documentary film that was released in 2013. The movie is directed by Jessica Vale and tells the story of a young girl named Olivia Zinnah who lives in Liberia, West Africa. Olivia is just seven years old, but she has already experienced more pain and suffering than most people will encounter in a lifetime.

The documentary begins by showing us Olivia's life before she fell ill. She is a happy and energetic young girl who lives with her mother, Fatu, and her aunt, Martha. Olivia loves to dance and play with her friends, and she dreams of becoming a doctor when she grows up. However, one day Olivia becomes sick, and her life is forever changed.

Olivia is diagnosed with a severe case of fistula, a condition that occurs when a hole forms between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum. Fistula is a devastating injury that can occur during prolonged and difficult childbirth, and it leaves women and girls incontinent and often ostracized from their communities. In Olivia's case, it was caused by a brutal rape that she suffered when she was just seven years old.

The documentary follows Olivia's journey as she is treated at a hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, and then sent to New York City for further medical care. Throughout this process, we see the pain and trauma that Olivia and her mother endure, as well as the challenges they face in accessing affordable and quality healthcare.

Small Small Thing also highlights the work of activists and advocates who are fighting to end gender-based violence and promote women's health rights in Liberia. Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Peace Laureate, appears in the film and speaks about her own experience of being raped during Liberia's civil war, as well as her work with the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, then-President of Liberia and the first elected female head of state in Africa, also speaks about the importance of addressing gender-based violence and improving access to healthcare for women and girls.

The film also sheds light on the cultural and social factors that perpetuate gender-based violence and hinder women's rights in Liberia. Martha, Olivia's aunt, speaks candidly about the stigma that surrounds fistula and the difficulties she faced in caring for Olivia after she was diagnosed. Many women and girls who suffer from fistula are rejected by their families and communities, as the condition is often seen as a curse or punishment.

Small Small Thing is a heartbreaking and powerful documentary that shines a light on the struggles of women and girls in Liberia who face gender-based violence, inadequate healthcare, and discrimination. The film is a testament to the resilience and courage of people like Olivia and her mother, who fight tirelessly for their rights and dignity. At the same time, it is a call to action for all of us to stand up against gender-based violence and to support women's health rights and empowerment.

Small Small Thing is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.