Social media has become an integral part of our lives and mornings begin with checking feeds on our various channels. I am no exception. Stress be left behind, but these conversations offer a peek into the minds of millions.
One such response to a rather cliched video this morning, stirred me beyond measure. It said,
“The oppressed studies the oppressor as a means of protection.
The oppressor rarely studies the oppressed.”
Reams of paper and gigabytes on the internet have been swamped with conversations surrounding two major issues of violence against women in the country. The outrageous rape of a young doctor in Kolkata and the Hema Committee Report highlighting sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Both the conversations neither point to it being the first such in the country, nor does it mean we are closing in to it being the last such conversation.
However, they do make us reflect upon the minds of the “oppressor” and the “oppressed.” Where does it all begin? “Yeh ladkiyon ke liye jagah nahi hai. Nahi jana.” (This is not a place where girls should go. Don’t go.) “Tum ladko ke liye koi problem nahi hai. Tum log jaao.” (There’s no problem for you boys. You go.). These and many such statements that we grow up hearing build in a narrative that has been normalized over generations, sowing seeds of deep-rooted unconscious bias. Where then, can we hope to see a beginning?
Leading Indian psychoanalyst, Sudhir Kakkar in his book, ‘Intimate Relations’ explores relationships between sexes in India. He speaks about how Indian conversations often revolve around myths and folk-lores to drive home a point, making these stories “products of collective fantasy.” Elaborating on the ‘language of emotions,’ he observes that in “most regions of the country, male folk wisdom offers overt reasons for man’s perennial war with woman,” he says commenting that the female sex is portrayed as “lacking both sexual morality and intelligence.” Could this be an inherent reason for perennial violence against women?
Several idioms and phrases used in daily parlance focus on the status of the sexes, particularly that of female shortcomings of mind and body. Reflecting upon such discourses and common place daily conversations, one wonders if much has changed.
While the law is expected to provide justice, we speak of mindset change.
Change of mindsets begins with the use of language – consciously, sub-consciously and unconsciously; at homes and outside. This is the larger and longer battle.
Casting Couch Casts the Spell
Circa 2002.
I go on a professional visit to media houses in Los Angeles, as part of a scholarship program. Newspaper houses, Radio Stations, Universal Studios, Sony Entertainment Studios and then of course, the Hollywood Walk of Fame. No visitor can miss a beautiful mosaic staircase, nearabout. The words inscribed on the mosaic catch my attention:
“The Road to Hollywood, How Some of Us Got Here.”
As you shift your eyes beyond the statement, you see an installation of the proverbial Hollywood “Casting Couch” with the famous Hollywood lettering on the hill, a visible backdrop.
It shook me when I saw a young lady walk up and sit on the couch to fulfill her fantasy of being in Hollywood, and even more shocked when a young mother placed her daughter on the couch to click the souvenir photograph. Did the hidden meaning of the sentence inscribed on the staircase speak anything aloud? Or was I making much fuss about a tourist attraction, I thought to myself!
Circa 2024.
The Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry has seen the light of the day. Other regional film associations are considering a similar study indicating, ‘Enough is Enough.’
Seeking sexual favours and stories of exploitation in the film industry have been known issues. The film industry has mostly maintained an ostrich approach, so far. It’s about time to take legitimate action to contain and stop this malaise. Let talent rule the film industry. Not fear or favour.
The Hema Committee report recommending establishment of Internal Committees within production houses in accordance with the PoSH Act is a welcome move.
The film industry, like many other professions, attracts freelance workers too whose safety and security must be of equal concern to the employers and all stakeholders. Creating a safe work place for freelance workers also needs more attention, awareness of legal provisions, sensitization and effective measures for redressal. Let’s hope that the film industry raises the curtains to lead the way in implementing the recommendations.
Making workspaces safe is a mandate. There can be no room for excuses or oversight there.
Triveni is a veteran educator, writer, and former journalist with over three decades of diverse experience. A Fulbright and Rotary International Scholar, she specialises in Gender & Media and Sociology of Media. Alongside her academic roles, Triveni is recognised for her acting in theatre and film, enjoys painting, and lends her voice as a skilled voice-over artist. Currently, she advises and serves as a subject matter expert at SheSR, championing women's empowerment.
For organisations seeking to strengthen their PoSH/DEI frameworks, contact us to build inclusive workplaces that empower, retain, and elevate women.
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