The Hema Commission Report has stirred significant discussion and concern about the disheartening experiences women face in the Malayalam cinema industry. Created in response to the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep, the report sheds light on severe issues of sexual harassment, exploitation, and gender inequality. Here’s an in depth look into the report's revelations:
1. Background of the Hema Commission Report
In the wake of the 2017 actress assault, the Kerala government established the Hema Committee comprising retired Justice K Hema, yesteryear actress Sharadha, and retired IAS officer K B Valsala Kumari. This panel was tasked with investigating and understanding the depth and breadth of issues related to sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry.
The comprehensive report, submitted to the Kerala government in 2019, faced numerous delays before its eventual release, highlighting systemic reluctance to confront these grave issues.
2. Harrowing Accounts of Harassment
The Hema Commission Report is replete with disturbing testimonials from female professionals in the Malayalam film industry. It documents numerous instances of sexual harassment, unwanted physical advances, and an overall hostile environment for women.
Many women reported being harassed even before their work commenced. The report paints a vivid picture of individuals in positions of power leveraging their status to exploit women. These women were often forced to compromise their dignity to secure or maintain employment.
One particularly unsettling revelation was the system of assigning code names to women. Those willing to yield to harassment and exploitation were favoured with professional opportunities, while those resisting were marginalized and pushed out of the industry.
3. The 'Power Nexus' and Criminal Gangs
The report shines a light on a powerful nexus comprising producers, directors, actors, and production controllers. This tightly knit group allegedly controls the industry and indulges in criminal behaviour, often resorting to intimidation and threats to maintain their dominance.
The existence of a "criminal gang" within the industry has been cited, exerting immense influence and control over the film industry's workings. This coterie's actions include preventing women who resist their advances from getting work and ensuring that those who speak out face severe reprisals.
4. Workplace Environment and Basic Amenities
The report emphasizes the abysmal working conditions for women in the Malayalam film industry. It highlights a stark lack of basic amenities such as functional toilets and changing rooms on film sets, which compromises women’s safety and hygiene.
Many women stated that they often had to adapt to rudimentary and humiliating conditions, like using nearby homes or other makeshift arrangements due to the lack of designated facilities. Such practices underline a severe disregard for women's rights and well being.
5. Legal and Structural Gaps
Despite mandates under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH), the industry's internal complaints mechanisms are largely ineffective. Many women prefer silence over reporting due to fear of career ending repercussions and personal safety threats, including cyberattacks.
The report also underscores that existing legal frameworks are insufficient in curbing the rampant abuse. The reluctance to file police complaints, stemming from fears of severe consequences, points to a dire need for robust protections and a greater level of enforcement in these spaces.
Contracts between employers and women employees are often not executed in writing, leading to exploitation, non payment, or arbitrary changes to agreed terms. This lack of transparency and accountability further exacerbates the vulnerability of women working in the industry.
6. Reactions and Future Steps
The release of the Hema Commission Report has prompted various reactions from key stakeholders within the industry and the political spectrum. State Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan has indicated that the government takes the findings seriously and plans to convene a cinema conclave to discuss and address these issues.
However, the opposition has criticized the government's delay in releasing the report, with some accusing it of attempting to protect certain influential individuals. Actor Siddique, president of the actors' association AMMA, has committed to studying the report closely to initiate necessary reforms.
The Women in Cinema Collective, an advocacy group, has expressed relief at the report's release, appreciating the effort to unearth these critically important issues.
Conclusion
The Hema Commission Report is a landmark document that has opened the eyes of many to the harsh realities faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry. It calls for urgent collective action to ensure a safer, fairer, and more respectful working environment for all women in the industry.
The revelations contained in the report highlight not just the immediate need for addressing sexual harassment but also the broader cultural and structural changes required to root out deeply entrenched gender biases and power imbalances. Only through sustained efforts and comprehensive policy reforms can the Malayalam film industry hope to foster an environment where talent and professionalism are respected, irrespective of gender.