The National Commission for Women (NCW) has officially demanded the complete release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which has highlighted severe and pervasive issues of sexual abuse and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. The commission’s request follows its growing concerns over the report’s findings, which indicate widespread workplace harassment and gender discrimination affecting women in the industry.
What Did The NCW Say?
In its statement, the NCW emphasized that the partial release of the report is insufficient to address the serious issues it uncovers. The Commission expressed its commitment to ensuring that the rights of women working in the Malayalam film sector are fully protected. It has therefore taken steps to push for the full publication of the report, which remains partially redacted, with only a fraction of its contents available to the public.
The NCW’s move comes in the wake of the Kerala government’s decision to release a portion of the report on August 19, after years of delay. The Justice Hema Committee formed to investigate the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry, produced a comprehensive 295-page report. However, only 63 pages of the document were made public, with significant portions redacted before its release under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Also Read: Why Were Pages From Hema Committee Report Redacted? Shocking Details Revealed
More Details
The contents of the released sections of the report are alarming. They reveal that women in the Malayalam film industry frequently face pressure to provide sexual favors—often referred to in euphemisms like adjustments and compromises, to secure or maintain their roles. The report also highlights the lack of basic amenities for women on film sets, including access to toilets and safe changing rooms, forcing them to resort to finding secluded spots for personal needs during shoots.
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