Hema Committee Report Gives Voice To Mollywood's #MeToo Movement - Key Points And The Road Ahead

Justice K Hema Committee report, which studied issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry,  was finally released on August 19 amid opposition from various stakeholders. It was to be released on July 24 but was put on hold until Kerala High Court order. Here are the key takeaways from the report, which seems to have opened the Pandora's box about the treatment of female professionals in the industry.

When and why was the Justice K Hema Committee formed?

The panel was formed after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep, to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema. Even though the report was filed in 2019, it took over five years to release its details as it was suspected to contain sensitive information.

The actress-victim who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films was allegedly abducted and molested in her car for two hours by some of the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area. The entire act was filmed by some of the accused to blackmail the actress.

There are 10 accused in the case, including Dileep, who was also arrested and sent to jail. He was released after the court granted him bail. The case is pending.

What caused the recent delay in the release of the Justice K Hema Committee?

Parayil, a film producer, had challenged the State Information Commission's July 5 order directing the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) to reasonably disseminate the information in the Justice K Hema Committee report while ensuring that it does not compromise the privacy of individuals. The writ petition was dismissed by the Kerala High Court on August 13, paving the way for the release of the sensational report.

Accounts of harassment, exploitation, ill-treatment in Justice K Hema Committee Report

Justice Hema Committee report released on August 9 sheds light on the widespread and persistent sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry, with many alleging they were subjected to unwanted advances even before commencing work.

In a series of shocking and shameful revelations, the report stated that female actors faced harassment, including instances where the doors of their rooms were knocked on by intoxicated individuals in the film industry. Many of them, who suffered sexual harassment, were reluctant to complain about this to the police due to fear, it said.

"The sky is full of mysteries, with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But scientific investigation revealed that the stars do not twinkle, nor does the moon look beautiful. Do not trust what you see; even salt looks like sugar," the opening lines of the report said.

Women professionals given 'code names' 

According to the report, women actors who are ready to compromise are given code names, and those who are not ready to compromise are pushed out of the field.

Demand for sexual favours rampant in the industry

The commission said that it was "shocked to hear the sexual harassment stories" revealed to it by women working in the Malayalam film industry. "The offer to act or for doing any other job in cinema comes to a woman coupled with demand for sexual favours. The woman would be asked to adjust and compromise, thereby she is asked to surrender to sexual demands," the report said.

Malayalam film industry under the control of a 'criminal gang'

The panel report also alleged that the Malayalam film industry is under the control of a "criminal gang." The report has categorically mentioned that the police should register FIRs against crimes that are being committed in the industry, and many are not coming out fearing for their lives. It further stated that anyone who does anything that upsets the 'mafia group' that controls Malayalam cinema is unofficially banned from the industry.

Other issues faced by female professionals

Among the 17 issues faced by women working in the Malayalam film industry, some, as per the findings of the Justice Hema Committee report, are listed below:

-- A lack of basic facilities for women, including toilets and changing rooms at places of work.
-- Women lack safety at their workplace and accommodation.
-- The use of drugs and alcohol, disorderly conduct and misbehaviour at place of work by men, which lead to gross indiscipline.
-- Being subject to demeaning or vulgar comments at places of work.
-- The non-execution of contracts between employer and employee to suit individual requirements.
-- The failure to pay the agreed remuneration.
-- Disparity of remuneration between men and women, and gender discrimination in remuneration.
-- Resistance/reluctance to allow women to work on the technical side cinema.
-- Online harassment.
-- Lack of legal awareness about their own rights.
-- The absence of any legally constituted authority to redress their grievances.

The aftermath

The Justice Hema Committee report has sparked a political storm in Kerala. It evoked strong reactions across society, with demands for stringent actions to ensure a safe working atmosphere and equal treatment for women professionals.

Welcoming the release of the report, Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an outfit of women professionals in the industry, expressed hope that the government would take all necessary steps to study and act upon the recommendations. The WCC has been pressing for a long time to address the issues being faced by women in the Malayalam film industry and seek necessary interventions by the government to ensure gender equality.

"It has been a long journey for us! We believed that our fight for justice for all women wanting a dignified professional space in the film industry was the right fight...We stand vindicated. Publication of the Hema Committee report is another step that WCC has taken," it said in a Facebook post on Monday.

(With inputs from news agencies)