Below is the presentation in pdf format giving the timeline, recommendations and aftermath of Hema Committee Report
In a special episode of the Family Law Podcast with Advocate Kavya, hosted by Nivedita, listeners are invited to dive deep into the Justice Hema Committee Report — a landmark document that exposed the dark underbelly of sexual harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry. This episode, titled "Timeline of Justice Hema Committee Report, Its Catalyst & Aftermath, and Lessons for the Telugu Film Industry," aims to cut through the sensationalism often seen in media and focus on the real facts. 📜✨
The Justice Hema Committee was formed in 2017 after a high-profile kidnapping and assault case involving a popular actress in the Malayalam film industry. The incident sparked outrage 😡 and led to a massive outcry from women in the industry, demanding safer working environments and real, structural reforms. 🚨 The Kerala government responded by setting up the Justice Hema Committee, led by retired Justice K. Hema, to investigate the working conditions for women in the Malayalam film industry and recommend measures to ensure their safety and dignity.
🎧 Key Highlights from the Episode:
🛠️ Formation and Purpose of the Justice Hema Committee: Advocate Kavya kicks off the episode by explaining what led to the creation of the Justice Hema Committee. She highlights the powerful and persistent pressure exerted by women in the Malayalam film industry, especially the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which played a pivotal role in demanding structural changes rather than just emotional protests. This context is key to understanding why the Committee was formed in the first place.
🔍 The Working of the Committee and Its Findings: The episode then dives into how the Justice Hema Committee went about its work. Over nearly three years, the Committee collected testimonies from over 250 women in the Malayalam film industry, exposing shocking stories of exploitation, harassment, and deep-rooted sexism. 🤯 The report was submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019 but has yet to be made public — a point Advocate Kavya raises as a major issue, given the report's potential to spark widespread reform.
📢 Proposals and Recommendations by the Committee: Nivedita and Advocate Kavya break down the key proposals suggested by the Committee, such as setting up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in all film production houses, raising awareness about rights and protections under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, and ensuring women have more decision-making power. They discuss how these steps could lead to real, positive change in the industry if they were actually put into practice. 🙌
🎬 Lessons for the Telugu Film Industry: The podcast then shifts focus to the Telugu film industry and other regional film sectors across India. The hosts argue that the Malayalam film industry's approach — where women persistently demanded substantial changes — serves as a model for others. 🌟 Rather than quick, emotional reactions, there’s a need for organized, sustained advocacy to push for similar reforms. The episode also touches on the importance of transparency in these reforms and ensuring they’re more than just words on paper. 📝
🚀 Learning from Success and Addressing Pending Demands: The discussion also highlights the unfinished business of the WCC’s demands. It emphasizes that women in all film industries should not only replicate the success achieved by their Malayalam counterparts but also take up these unresolved issues. The fight for accountability, transparency, and a safe working environment must continue until real changes are visible across all industries. 🛑
📚 Series Focus: Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) in India
This special episode is part of a bigger series by the Family Law Podcast on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) in workplaces, exploring its relevance in light of various shocking incidents across India, including the infamous Kolkata rape case. Advocate Kavya and her guests aim to educate, inform, and inspire listeners to advocate for safer working conditions for women, not just in the film industry but across all sectors of society. 🏢👩⚖️
📱 Where to Listen:
Listeners can tune in to this eye-opening episode on the MediaFx app, available on both iOS and Android, as well as on the MediaFx YouTube channel and the official website, mediafx.co. This episode, along with the entire series on POSH, is a must-listen for those who want to be part of the change in creating a safer, more dignified workplace for women. 🎧💪
🌟 Conclusion
The episode featuring Advocate Kavya By Nivedita stands out as a crucial effort to shine a light on the need for real reforms to ensure women's safety and dignity in workplaces. By focusing on the catalyst, process, findings, and lessons of the Justice Hema Committee Report, the podcast provides a factual, in-depth analysis that encourages listeners to think critically and advocate for systemic change across industries. 🏆
