Daily Current Affairs September 5, 2024

1. DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 5 SEPTEMBER 2024 Society and Social Issues/ Women Empowerment Mains Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Case I: Justice Hema Committee Report Context ●Justice Hema Committee Report has given a detailed Recently, a doctor at RG Medical College in Kolkata version of sexual abuse and the ‘casting couch’ in was raped and murdered inside the premises of the the Malayalam film industry. college. At the same time, the Justice Hema ●The report has opened Pandora’s box for not just the Committee Report exposed the Sexual Harassment Malayalam Film industry, it has also stirred a of Women in the Malayalam film industry stirring demand to undertake similar initiatives for cinema debates about women's safety in the workplace. industries in other states. About ●The rape incident of a doctor at RG Medical College in Kolkata and Justice Hema Committee report on Sexual Harassment of Women in the Malayalam film industry shook the whole nation last month. ●These incidents exposed the deep evil nexus working Origin of the Committee against women’s safety in a country where women are worshipped in the form of goddesses and are ●The Justice Hema Committee was constituted in revered as the mother of civilization. 2017 by the Kerala government after a heinous case of sexual assault of an actress of Malayalam film industry came to light.

2. ●The investigation revealed that the actress was ●17 Forms Of Exploitation: The report has identified kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and filmed in a at least 17 forms of exploitation experienced by moving car after actor Dileep had allegedly women working in 30 different categories within the orchestrated the attack to “teach her a lesson.” industry. ●Women in Cinema Collective (WCC): After the ●Involvement of Famous Actors And Politicians: assault on the actress who identified herself in public, The report has highlighted that the Malayalam film WCC was formed. The organization filed a petition industry is under the control of a powerful lobby of to investigate the challenges faced by women in the male producers, directors, and actors who “dominate Malayalam film industry. other persons working in cinema.” ●Based on their petition, the Kerala government set up ●The report has cited that several Malayalam female a three-member committee, headed by retired Justice actors and junior artists have accused director K. Hema. Other members included were former actor Baburaj, actor Siddique, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Sharada and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu, Thulasidas, and Kumari. CPI-M MLA Vichu Mukesh of sexual harassment, ●The committee submitted its report to the and misconduct. ●Casting Couch: The report has also mentioned the government on 31st December 2019. The findings of the report were made public on 19th August 2024, casting couch where women were being asked to five years after it was submitted to the Kerala make certain “adjustments” and “compromises” and government. euphemisms for sexual favours to secure or retain ●The reason cited for this delay was the ‘Highly opportunities. ●Ineffectiveness of Internal Complaints Sensitive Contents’ of the report. ●However, the content was published after a large Committees (ICC): The committee has found that number of writ petitions and RTIs were filed in the formation of ICCs is not recommended due to Kerala High Court. several reasons. ●The influential people in the industry threaten the Details of the Justice Hema Committee Report persons who work in ICC to deal with the complaint, in the manner they demand. ●The Justice Hema Committee Report has revealed ●Further, women who experience sexual harassment horrid tales of sexual abuse, illegal bans, or assault frequently choose not to speak as they are discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, wage branded as “troublemakers” or shunned by the disparity, and inhuman working conditions, business. especially for women in the Malayalam film ●Lack of Basic Facilities: The committee has found industry. that women actors are denied basic facilities like ●The report has explained that the Cinema industry is access to toilets and safe changing rooms even on male-dominated and is an exclusive Boys’ Club.

3. film sets. Further, they often have to find secluded cover up the issue to shield the main accused fuelled spots to change or use the bathroom during outdoor the whole nation to come on the streets. ●The main accused is a civic volunteer working for shoots. ●Testimonials: The committee recorded several the Kolkata Police and using a bike registered in the testimonials of several actresses. These testimonials name of the commissioner of Kolkata. highlight the widespread culture of insensitivity and exploitation that women in the field face daily. Why is this case covered under the Sexual Harassment at Workplace? Repercussions of the Report The main accused in the case is a civic volunteer. He had ●Cognizance by Kerala High Court: The Kerala been following the victim on the hospital premises for High Court has directed the state government to the past three days of the incident. The consciousness of submit the full report in a sealed envelope. the victim could have prevented the incident. ●Special Investigation Team: The state government has decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into ●The incident followed a fiery protest across the allegations of sexual harassment against a few actors country especially by the doctors and a picketing in Malayalam cinema. The SIT consist of senior outside the hospitals and ministries across the women police officers. country. ●FIRs Filed: After the revelation of the report, around ●The incident was followed by another attack on 17 cases have been filed against several big names in protesting doctors outside the RG Medical College the industry, including actor Jayasurya and actor and by the hooligans belonging to the ruling party, the politician Mukesh. Trinamool Congress. ●They also attacked the hospital premises and Case II: Doctor’s Rape and Murder in Kolkata’s RG destroyed the evidence at the crime scene. Medical College ●Further, the management of the RG Medical College ordered to demolition of the walls of the hall. These acts were seen as an attempt to destroy the evidence at the crime scene. ●Currently, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry is being conducted and the ex-principal of ●The rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata’s RG the RG Medical College has been arrested. Medical College and the lapses in the procedure Remedy Under Indian Laws for Sexual following the aftermath of the accident probably to Exploitation/Abuse at Workplace

4. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ●The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 addresses the issue of sexual exploitation of women in the workplace. ●The act has followed a bottom-top approach and Definition of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace has tried to resolve every aspect of the sexual misconduct at the workplace. According to the act, “Sexual Harassment” includes any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or Women Covered under The Act behaviour ( whether directly or by implication), namely ●The Act recognizes the right of every woman to a 1.Physical contact or advances; safe and secure workplace environment. 2.A demand or request for sexual favours; ●The act covers all women working a regular, 3.Making sexually coloured remarks; temporary, ad-hoc, or daily wage basis and is 4.Showing pornography; protected under the Act. 5.Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non- ●The Act also covers women who work as domestic verbal conduct of a sexual nature help and work in a dwelling place or house. Formation of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) The Act mandates every workplace employing more than ten persons to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee. It is responsible for addressing complaints of sexual harassment and ensuring a safe working environment. Definition of Workplace Local Committee (LC) ●The act has defined a workplace as “any place visited If the workplace does not have an ICC (e.g., in by the employee arising out of or during the course organizations with less than ten employees or in certain of employment, including transportation provided specific circumstances), the district officer shall by the employer for undertaking such a journey.” constitute a Local Committee to receive and redress ●It covers both the organised and unorganised sectors. complaints.

5. ●It also aims to streamline the registration and Complaint Procedure monitoring of complaints related to sexual ●The Act lays down a specific procedure for making harassment in the workplace. complaints, conducting inquiries, and resolving ●It allows the submission of complaints directly to cases of sexual harassment. It further ensures the concerned IC or LC that will be chosen by the confidentiality and timely resolution of complaints. complainants. Protection against Retaliation Conclusion The Act prohibits any retaliation or adverse actions Justice Hema Committee Report and the RGKAR against the complainant for filing a complaint in good Medical College rape and murder case were the most faith. talked about incidents in the month of August. The rape and murder of the female doctor is a heinous criminal Penalties offence which will be dealt with by criminal laws. The If found guilty, the Act provides for penalties, which initial investigation reports have suggested that the may include a monetary fine or termination of accused had been following the victim in the hospital for employment. It depends on the severity of the offence. the past three days. This stalking comes under the ‘The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace SHe-Box Portal (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013’ and could have been reported by the victim before the incident. Further, the report of the Justice Hema Committee must be investigated and culprits must be brought to justice. Sources: The Hindu, The Indian Express, Vikaspedia etc. Mains Question ●Launched By: Ministry of Women and Child 1.Discuss the findings of Justice Hema Committee Development Report. How can the menace of sexual ●Objective: It is aimed at bolstering workplace explotation of women in film industry be safety for women. tackled? ●The centralized platform has been designed to 2.Discuss ‘The Sexual the provisions of create a repository of information related to the Harassment of Women at Workplace Internal Committee (IC) and Local Committee (LC) (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, established across the country. 2013’.