Report formulated on the directions of the Kerala Government highlighted issues like existence of ‘power group’, couch casting, lack of essential facilities such as toilets, changing rooms, safe transportation, etc.
- The issues highlighted by the Committee rekindled the #MeToo Movement and sexual harassment of women at workplace.
Reasons for Sexual Harassment at Workplace
- Male Domination: Sexual demands for rising into higher positions.
- Online Harassment or Cyberattacks: Trolling; threatened with vulgar pictures, videos, etc.
- Legal non-compliance: Absent or inefficient Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) mandated under the POSH Act, 2013.
- ICC is mandatory in all establishments employing 10 or more persons, with a majority of women membership.
Major Recommendations
- Characterisation of Women in cinema: Depicting as holders of powerful positions like Civil Servants, Ambassadors, leaders, etc.
- Gender Awareness Training Program: Challenging the monopoly of power enjoyed by men; projecting women equal to men.
- Redefining Masculinity and Femininity: Masculinity to be equated to justice, equality, and compassion instead of violence and aggression.
- Femininity to be divorced from passiveness and silent suffering.
- Creation of a Welfare Fund: For the support of women in job break due to child bearing, health or other responsibilities.
Other measures taken to address Sexual Harassment at Workplace
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