A better and more secure working space for women in cinema

Kerala Health Minister Veena George
Veena George

Thiruvanthapuram: Now there will be guidelines for implementing women’s safety laws in the film industry as well. This law which calls for safety regulations for women who work in cinema will be announced on March 8, Women’s day by the Kerala government. The Women and Child Development department has put together a set of guidelines to make sure women who work in cinema are completely safe from sexual harassment and have submitted them to the Chief Minister. Ever since the brutal assault on the actress in 2017, they are making sure a law comes in place that aids in making cinema a safe place for women.

The CM has given the nod and has instructed Education Minister Veena George to take the necessary steps towards its implantation. Currently, the guidelines are being considered by the department of law.

This new safety law for women in cinema comes under the purview of the entertainment industry. Since there are no clear definitions as to whether the workplace includes production, pre-production, post-production, or is it just restricted to those inside the film studios, it was noted that there will be more loopholes for the offenders to escape.

According to Veena George, the law will be enforced according to ‘one cinema, one workplace’ guidelines for more clarity.

These are the things to be done according to the law

There will be an internal complaint redressal committee for women in cinema like it is in the case of other private companies and workplaces.

Just like in private companies, there will be an outsider from the cinema in the committee. The committee chairman will be a veteran from cinema. Women will be expected to be a major part of the committee.

You have to form this committee and inform the culture department the minute you register a film.

 From the hero, director to everyone involved in the pre and postproduction of the film will come under this law. Any shooting location will be considered a workplace.

The company that distributes junior artists and others working for cinema will also fall under this law as they will be registered along with the film. 

The internal complaint redressal committee is expected to submit a detailed report on the day the film shoot ends.  

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