HEMA COMMITTEE REPORT

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Context: The Hema Committee report highlighted deep-rooted exploitation in Malayalam cinema.

Details

• The Hema Committee Report released on 19th August, is prepared by a three-member committee led by a former judge of the Kerala High Court.
• The report highlighted alarming issues such as sexual exploitation, illegal bans, discrimination, and poor working conditions within the industry.

Background

• The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) was established in response to a horrific incident in February 2017, where a female actor was abducted and sexually assaulted in Kochi.
  • • Their mission was to advocate for gender equality and create a safe and non-discriminatory work environment in the industry.
• The Kerala government set up the Hema Committee in July 2017 to investigate the problems faced by women in Malayalam cinema, the release of the report was delayed due to the sensitive nature of the information it contained.

Key Findings of the Hema Committee Report

• Sexual Exploitation and Harassment: The report highlighted that women in the industry were subjected to inappropriate behaviour and pressure.
• Illegal Bans and Discrimination: The report revealed that women who spoke out against harassment or exploitation often faced illegal bans from the industry.
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse: The prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse within the industry. This contributed to the toxic working environment and further compounded the difficulties faced by women.
• Wage Disparity and Poor Working Conditions: Wage disparity was significant, with female actors often earning less than their male counterparts. The working conditions for women in the industry were described as inhumane, reflecting a broader disregard for their well-being.

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Source:

The Hindu