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Hema Commission Report
Context
The Kerala High Court has ordered the state to submit the full Hema Committee report, including confidential sections, for review. This comes as the court is considering a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding criminal proceedings against those named in the report. The Justice Hema Committee report, released on August 19, 2024, highlights serious issues of discrimination and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Formation of the Justice Hema Committee
- In 2017, a prominent Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted, leading to widespread outrage.
- In response to this incident, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), comprising women from the film industry, petitioned the Kerala Chief Minister, calling for an investigation into the broader gender issues in the industry.
- The Kerala government formed the Justice Hema Committee, headed by retired Kerala High Court Judge Justice K Hema, to investigate sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry.
- The report was not released until August 2024, leading to criticism. The government cited concerns over sensitive information and privacy as reasons for the delay. Justice Hema had requested in February 2020 that the report not be released due to its sensitive content.
- In response to RTI requests and the Kerala State Information Commission’s ruling, the report was released with certain sections redacted.
Key Findings of the Report
- Culture of Harassment: The report describes a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, including practices like casting couch and inappropriate behavior from male colleagues.
- Fear of Retaliation: Victims often fear retribution, both direct and through cyber harassment, which silences them from reporting incidents.
- Male-dominated Power Structure: The industry is controlled by a powerful male-dominated group, making it difficult for others to challenge their actions without facing severe consequences.
- Inadequate Facilities: Women in the industry lack basic facilities, such as proper toilets and changing rooms on film sets, leading to health risks.
- Gender Inequality: There is significant gender disparity in pay and working conditions, exacerbated by the lack of formal contracts.
Fact Box: NCRB’s Reports on Sexual Assault
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