Hema Committee Report, Members, Major Finding, Recommendations

PWOnlyIAS August 28, 2024 12:44 6547 0

The Hema Committee Report has been news lately as it highlighted the issues related to women's safety in the Malayalam film industry. Read on to find out what the Hema Committee Report is and why it is significant.

Hema Committee Report, Members, Major Finding, Recommendations

Hema Committee Report: Almost 4 and a half years have passed since the Justice Hema Commission submitted its report on troubling issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The Hema Committee Report came into the spotlight in August 2024 when it was finally released.

The Hema Committee Report is a significant document as it revealed alarming instances of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and exploitation in the industry posing serious questions again on women’s safety in India. Key highlights of the Hema Committee Report along with its relevance for the UPSC CSE exam are discussed here.

What is Hema Committee Report?

Following a high-profile incident of sexual assault in 2017, a committee was formed by the Kerala government to investigate gender issues in the Malayalam cinema. The Hema Committee Report is named after Justice K. Hema, a retired judge of the Kerala High Court, who chaired the committee.

Hema commission members included former actress T. Sharada and former bureaucrat K.B. Valsala Kumari. This committee was tasked with investigating and providing recommendations to improve the working conditions and safety of women in the Malayalam film industry.

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The report, submitted in December 2019, was finally released in August 2024, revealing alarming instances of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and exploitation in the industry.

Hema Committee Report Overview
Particular Details
Formation  2017
Chairperson Justice K. Hema
Hema Commission Members T. Sharada (Former Actress), K.B. Valsala Kumari (Retired IAS Officer)
Submission Date December 2019
Release Date August 19, 2024
Key Issues Highlighted Sexual harassment, gender inequality, and lack of basic facilities in the film industry 
Recommendations Establishment of Internal Complaints Committees, gender awareness training

Hema Committee Report PDF Download

The Hema Committee Report is now available for public access. For those who want to go through this document, a PDF version is shared here. Hema Committee Report PDF serves as a crucial resource for understanding the systemic issues related to women’s safety and understanding measures to address them.

Hema Committee Report Download Link – Click Here

Major Findings of the Hema Committee Report

The Hema Committee Report highlights several serious issues within the Malayalam film industry. The committee found that women in the industry often face sexual harassment, discrimination, and unsafe working conditions. Here are some of the key issues highlighted in the report:

  • Sexual Exploitation: The prevalence of the “casting couch” reflects a pervasive issue of sexual demands from women entering the industry.
  • Harassment and Abuse: Women face sexual harassment, abuse, and assault at work and during transport, with those resisting often subjected to torture.
  • Safety and Facilities: Insufficient basic facilities and general safety concerns, especially in outdoor locations, lead to health issues and unsafe conditions for women.
  • Discrimination and Pay Gap: Gender bias is evident in the industry, with a significant disparity in remuneration between men and women, and junior artists are often subjected to extreme working conditions with minimal pay.
  • Legal and Contractual Issues: Lack of legal awareness and ineffective Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) hinder grievance redressal. Problems include non-execution of contracts and failure to pay agreed wages.
  • Deep Rooted Gender Bias: The Hema Committee Report also pointed out that gender inequality is deeply rooted in the industry, with men dominating key roles and women often sidelined. 

Recommendations in the Hema Committee Report

The Hema Committee Report made several recommendations aimed at improving the working conditions for women in the Malayalam film industry. Some of the key recommendations include:

  • Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The report suggests setting up a dedicated Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to handle complaints related to sexual harassment and other grievances faced by women in the industry.
  • Strict Implementation of Laws: The Hema Committee Report calls for the strict implementation of existing laws related to sexual harassment and gender equality in the workplace. Some members favored setting up an independent tribunal.
  • Awareness Programs: The report recommends conducting mandatory awareness programs to educate cast and crew in the industry about the importance of maintaining a safe working environment.
  • Increased Representation of Women: The Hema Committee Report emphasizes the need for greater representation of women in decision-making roles within the industry with initiatives such as single-window system loans for movies produced by women.
  • Support Systems for Women: The report also suggests the establishment of support systems, including counseling services, to assist women who have faced harassment or discrimination.

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Relevance of Hema Committee Report for UPSC Exams

The Hema Committee Report holds significant relevance for UPSC exams, especially in the UPSC Mains. The UPSC Syllabus includes topics such as the role of women and women’s organizations and social empowerment GS 1. 

Further, topics related to gender issues have been frequently asked in the Essay paper. Candidates must go through this report to understand gender disparities in workplaces, issues in existing legal frameworks for women’s safety, and the need for reforms. 

Considering its significance, the Hema Committee Report has been discussed in detail by our experts in daily news analysis. Aspirants must watch this discussion to prepare for the upcoming UPSC exam:

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FAQs On Hema Committee Report

The Hema Committee Report is a document that exposes the issues of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry in Kerala.

The members of the Hema Committee include chairperson retired Kerala High Court Justice K. Hema, veteran actress Sharada, and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari.

The report was delayed for over four and a half years due to concerns over the sensitive nature of the information it contained and the potential violation of privacy of individuals mentioned in it.

The Hema Committee was formed in 2017, in response to a high-profile incident of sexual assault in the Malayalam film industry.

The report highlights the existence of a casting couch culture, Sexual harassment, gender inequality, unsafe working conditions, and drug issues in the Malayalam film industry.
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