Kochi: The Cultural Academy for Peace (CAP) hosted a comprehensive discussion on the Hema Committee Report at its Centre in Ernakulam North, Kochi. A first in a series of discussions to come, the event brought together representatives from the legal fraternity, cinema industry, government departments, and social activists to explore the report’s findings and chart a path forward for reforms.
The participants included Beena Sebastian, Founder and Chairperson of CAP; Ferha Azeez, Legal Counsellor of CAP; Advocate Asha Mathew of the High Court of Kerala and member of the Kerala Federation of Women Lawyers; Advocate Meera K of the High Court of Kerala; Mr. Arun Prasannan, Senior Reporter from Kalakaumudi; Dr. Akhil, a former member of NRHM and joint secretary of IMA Cochin; Mrs. Deepa MS, retired protection officer of the women and child department; Professor Neena Joseph, former faculty at IMT; and Ms. Ammini Samuel and Ms. Jyothy Narayanan, retired social activists. The discussion centered on the report’s revelations regarding rampant harassment, discriminatory practices, and inadequate working conditions faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Participants expressed deep concern about the deep-rooted cultural and structural issues that perpetuate these injustices.
Key points included the observation that the current redressal mechanisms for crimes often further victimize survivors by forcing them to relive their traumatic experiences. There were also opinions that Kerala is increasingly becoming a place where the innocent are preyed upon. Criticism was directed at the four-member police committee constituted by the government, which some argued was merely a tactic to delay investigations.
The discussion strongly condemned the perpetrators of crimes against women and established a committee to develop policies and strategies to address these issues. This committee will include experts from various fields and will focus on developing concrete recommendations to be put forward before the government and the Honourable High Court
