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A new film on sexual harassment is in the works - and promises to look closely at why women get such a raw deal when it comes to sexual harassment complaints and justice.
A new film on sexual harassment is in the works – and promises to look closely at why women get such a raw deal when it comes to sexual harassment complaints and justice.
Women have held positions of power or employment in a variety of industries, worldwide, for a long time now. In third world countries, despite rampant abuse and violence, women have managed to gain financial independence, somehow. But such everyday hero stories have been withheld or destroyed entirely. As though the never-ending atrocities against women are not alarming enough, it wasn’t until 1997 that the Supreme Court of India thought it may be a good idea to set up a formal forum for redressal (PDF). And then came the 2013 Act which superseded the earlier ’97 Vishakha Commission.
The shortcomings of these processes, the delay in legal retribution and the prevalent victim shaming culture has ensured that women who face sexual harassment at work (SHW) or abuse, are never provided the necessary protection or rightful remedy.
It has been 4 months since I have entirely dedicated myself to researching, interviewing and learning more about the legalities of the policies against SHW. It is a good mix of horror and anxiety, because the more I dig out information, the more I realize how important it was to make this film on sexual harassment at work.
This is curiously a project curriculum that I have designed and hope to execute as an internship exercise for Hannah Latimer Snell, who is coming down from Portland, Oregan, to shadow my work as a filmmaker. This is also the first time I am offering an International internship. The idea is to raise enough funds by applying for grants so that we can successfully make this film.
“But what was she wearing?” scrutinizes the Act of 2013 in detail, by examining the nitty gritties of law, by juxtaposing the expectations and realities of seeking redressal. The documentary hopes to portray some successful stories, some very unsuccessful stories and it digs deeper into the culture that deflects the blame by shaming the abused.
I am also very keen on elaborating the term ‘workplace’ to its grassroots and learn from women who belong to industries/nature of work that does not quite fit into a closed office room. I am also hoping to speak to male victims of SHW, who won’t mind speaking into the camera.
Here’s the trailer for the film:
I am a feminist, pro-reservation, pro-LGBTQ, pro-choice and an unapologetic equal-rights advocate. I am the founder of 'Women Making Films', (www.wmfindia.com) a not-for-profit organization aimed at creating read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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