The Hema Committee Report Shakes Up Malayalam Cinema! Discover How !
1. When and why was the Hema Committee Report created ?
The Hema Committee Report was established in 2017 based on a petition filed by the 'Women in Cinema Collective' in Kerala. The primary objective of this report was to study the issues faced by women in the film industry. The main goal of the report was to expose cases of sexual harassment, exploitation, and discrimination in the film industry and to recommend measures for improvement. The committee submitted its report in 2019, which revealed serious issues regarding the status of women in the film industry and the discrimination they face.
2. What are the key issues raised against women in the report ?
The report primarily addresses the following issues:
- Sexual Harassment and Exploitation: Recognizing sexual favors as a condition for professional advancement in the film industry.
- Lack of Facilities: Absence of necessary amenities such as toilets, changing rooms, safe transportation, and residential arrangements at shooting locations.
- Discrimination in Wages: Paying women less than men and discrimination in contracts.
- Lack of Professional Support: Insufficient support and structural reforms for women in the film industry.
3. What is the casting couch, and what does the report say about it ?
The casting couch refers to the practice in Hollywood where sexual favors are exchanged for film roles. The report describes it as a prevalent practice where sexual activities are seen as a condition for participation in films. Justice Hema identified this as an exploitative aspect of the current system in the film industry and recommended taking concrete steps to eliminate it.
4. What recommendations were made for professional women workers in the report ?
The report made the following recommendations for professional women workers:
- Improvement of Facilities: Ensuring proper facilities such as toilets, changing rooms, and safe transportation.
- End of Discrimination: Implementing equal pay policies and transparency in contracts.
- Internal Complaint Committees: Establishing internal complaint committees for each film project to address harassment complaints in a timely and appropriate manner.
5.What steps has the government taken regarding the report's recommendations ?
The government decided to form a special investigation team to examine harassment allegations. However, it has ignored the recommendation to abolish internal complaint committees for each film project as suggested by the report. Nevertheless, the government should take action on the recommendations aimed at professionalizing the film industry and implementing structural reforms.
6. What kind of structural reforms are needed for women in the film industry ?
Structural reforms needed include:
- Health and Safety: Provision of proper toilets, changing rooms, and safe transportation.
- Equal Pay and Contracts: Implementation of equal pay policies and transparent contracts.
- Support Systems: Establishing support systems for professional and mental health, along with effective grievance redressal mechanisms.
7. What impact could the report have on the 'MeToo' movement ?
The Justice Hema Report has the potential to act as a catalyst similar to the 'MeToo' movement. It can inspire women to speak up and share their experiences, leading to a broader awareness and action against harassment and discrimination in the film industry.
8. What legal measures can be taken against sexual harassment and discrimination in the film industry?
Legal measures that can be considered include:
- Legal Reforms: Establishing stringent laws against sexual harassment and discrimination.
- Professional Code: Implementing a professional code and ethical guidelines for the film industry.
- Grievance Redressal Mechanisms: Setting up an independent and effective grievance redressal mechanism for harassment complaints.
9. Why is the lack of necessary facilities for women a significant issue in the report?
The lack of necessary facilities for women is a significant issue because it affects their safety, health, and privacy during work. The absence of proper toilets, changing rooms, and safe transportation leads to discomfort and risk for women, negatively impacting their work quality and mental health.
10. What effect does the influence of powerful individuals inside and outside the film industry have?
The influence of powerful individuals within and outside the film industry often promotes exploitative and discriminatory practices. These individuals use their position and resources to suppress weaker or undesirable issues, preventing real problems from being addressed and obstructing effective reform processes.
By Ojaank Sir