26 August 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Reality of reel life, exploitation as a structural problem

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable sections

Context

The Justice K. Hema Committee report, released in August 2024, highlights sexual exploitation and discrimination faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. It calls for structural reforms, addressing the ineffectiveness of current legal mechanisms and urging the government to ensure gender equality and safety for women in the workplace.

Introduction

• The Kerala government released a redacted version of the Justice K. Hema Committee report on August 19, 2024.
• Formed in 2017, the committee submitted its report in 2019, focusing on the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
• The report identifies two primary concerns: sexual exploitation and discriminatory practices.
• These issues are not unique to the Malayalam film industry but reflect broader gender inequality problems.

Key Issues Highlighted in the Report

1. Sexual Exploitation and Assault

• Women in cinema are often forced to exchange sexual favours for career opportunities.
• Those who refuse to comply face marginalisation by powerful figures in the industry.
• This exploitation reflects a culture where women’s consent is disregarded, with the objectification of women and gender stereotypes central to the problem.

2. Discriminatory Practices

• Women in the film industry lack basic facilities, and face biassed treatment and harassment.
• The report emphasises that these issues are not just isolated incidents but manifestations of broader patriarchal attitudes.

The Culture of Assault

Stereotyping and Gender Expectations

• The report links sexual assault to the larger societal culture where women are burdened by stereotypes dictating their behavior, choices, and autonomy.
• Sexual violence like rape is seen as a reflection of this mindset, reducing women’s autonomy and dignity.

Workplace Harassment

• Sexual assault at work is prevalent, with the film industry being one of the many sectors where such exploitation occurs.
• The Vishaka Guidelines (1997) by the Supreme Court and the subsequent Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 aimed to protect women at work, but gaps remain.

Inadequacies of Existing Legal Mechanisms

Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)

• The Hema Committee highlights the ineffectiveness of the ICC for women in cinema, arguing that influential abusers or employers could sway the committee’s decisions.
• It advocates for an independent government forum to address these issues, although this problem extends beyond the film industry.

Crime Registration and Victim Anonymity

Concerns About the Lack of Criminal Investigations

• Many have questioned why crimes identified in the report have not led to investigations.
• The report has redacted names of both survivors and culprits, a decision rooted in survivor anonymity — a legal norm that shields survivors from public scrutiny and harassment.

Judicial Precedents on Anonymity

• The Nipun Saxena vs Union of India (2018) case reinforced the need for survivor anonymity, upheld by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• Anonymity protects survivors from further discrimination and is a critical aspect of criminal jurisprudence in sexual assault cases.

Right to Privacy and the Role of the State

• Under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, the right to privacy protects the survivors’ choice to remain anonymous.
• While the state prosecutes sexual assault cases, cooperation from survivors is essential, but societal stigma often discourages them from pursuing legal action.

Challenges of Filing Complaints

• Survivors fear retaliation, loss of work, and being branded as troublemakers.
• The lengthy legal process and delayed trials, such as the ongoing case involving a prominent Malayalam actor, further dissuade women from seeking justice.

The Need for Structural Reforms

The #MeToo Movement as a Global Parallel

• The 2017 accusations against Harvey Weinstein and the ensuing #MeToo movement brought global attention to sexual harassment in the workplace.
• The Hema Committee report is seen as a step toward similar reforms in India.

Addressing Issues Faced by Women in Lower Strata

• The report emphasises that women in lower tiers of the film industry, such as crew members, face more significant challenges than lead actresses.
• Basic issues like inadequate sanitation and bias need comprehensive solutions.

Government’s Role in Enacting Reforms

• The government must take the lead in enacting structural reforms to address the report’s findings.
• The report has started a much-needed conversation on gender equality in the workplace, offering women a tool for increased awareness and advocacy.

Conclusion

• The Justice K. Hema Committee report has sparked a crucial discussion on the systemic exploitation and discrimination faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
• It serves as a call to action for structural reforms, better legal mechanisms, and societal changes to ensure women’s safety and dignity at the workplace.

Practice Question:  Discuss the key challenges faced by women in the Indian film industry regarding sexual harassment and the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks in addressing these issues. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. New-age gateway devices, the latest health threat

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice –  Health

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Context

New-age devices like e-cigarettes and vaping pens, initially marketed as healthier alternatives to smoking, have led to a public health crisis, particularly affecting children. These devices, through targeted marketing and high addiction potential, are causing both physical harm and mental health issues among the younger generation.

A Dangerous Misconception

• New-age devices like e-cigarettes, vaping pens, and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) were initially promoted as healthier alternatives to smoking and as aids to quit tobacco.
• Contrary to these claims, they have caused a public health crisis, leading to physical harm and mental health issues, especially among children.

A New Pandemic Among Youth

• Instead of helping people quit smoking, manufacturers have found a profitable market in children, creating a youth vaping crisis.
• In 2023, the CDC reported that 2.1 million middle and high school students in the U.S. were using e-cigarettes, including 5,50,000 middle school students.
• Targeted marketing of flavoured vaping products like strawberry and cotton candy has led to a rise in nicotine addiction among children.

Psychological Vulnerability of Children

• Psychological factors are driving children toward vaping, especially those under 10 years of age, who are increasingly susceptible to addiction.
• The most vulnerable age group remains between 10 and 20, often targeted by manufacturers through appealing advertisements and flavours.
• Peer pressure and a desire to fit in push children toward vaping, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation compared to non-vaping peers.

Gateway to Physical and Mental Harm

• Vaping causes lung damage and EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), but also has severe mental health impacts.
• Evidence from the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that e-cigarettes are linked to mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
• Adolescents addicted to nicotine are at higher risk of developing substance use disorders later in life.

Addiction and Composition of E-Cigarettes

• A November 2022 study by JAMA Network Open revealed that adolescent e-cigarette users are highly addicted, with many using their first tobacco product within five minutes of waking.
• E-cigarettes are engineered to deliver nicotine efficiently, with later models using benzoic acid in nicotine e-liquid, increasing their addictive potential.
• This heightened addiction leads to significant mental dependency on these devices.

Experimentation with Harder Substances

• These devices are not only limited to nicotine; they are also used to experiment with harder substances like cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.
• Many people, including parents, mistakenly believe vaping only involves harmless water vapour, unaware of the real risks of lifelong substance abuse issues.

Conclusion

• The portrayal of vaping as a healthier alternative has led to a dangerous addiction crisis among children, causing both physical and mental harm.
• Urgent action is needed to address the marketing and accessibility of these new-age gateway devices to prevent further damage to youth.

Practice Question:  Examine the impact of e-cigarettes and vaping devices on public health, particularly among children and adolescents, and discuss the need for regulatory measures to address this growing concern. (150 Words /10 marks)

3. Investing in persons with disabilities

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable sections

Context

The article highlights the societal stigma, marginalisation, and lack of infrastructure faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India, especially in education and employment .Despite legal mandates for inclusivity, poor implementation and negative societal attitudes persist, underscoring the need for systemic change and social awareness to ensure dignity for PwDs.

Introduction:

• The movie Srikanth highlights the journey of an industrialist overcoming visual impairment and addresses societal stigma towards people with disabilities (PwDs).
• PwDs face social marginalisation, a lack of infrastructure in education, and insufficient policies in workplaces, hindering their access to opportunities and dignity.

Education and Employment Challenges:

• A 2023 report shows only five Nifty 50 companies have more than 1% PwDs on their workforce, with most being public sector enterprises.
• Data from the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People indicates less than 1% of educational institutions are accessible for PwDs.
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates reservations in government jobs and provides incentives for non-government jobs, yet implementation is lacking.
• Inaccessible infrastructure and limited inclusion policies hinder full participation of PwDs in society.

International Models for Inclusivity in Education:

• Institutions like Harvard and Stanford in the U.S. have inclusive frameworks, providing housing and disability support for students with disabilities.
• In India, few universities, such as Shiv Nadar University, have begun implementing similar models, offering personalised support to students with disabilities.
• However, these measures are not institutionalised, leading to inconsistent implementation across the education system.

Workplace Inclusivity and Policy Failures:

• Despite the legal mandate for workplace inclusion, employers have not effectively implemented reservations or diversity policies for PwDs.
• States should develop compliance mechanisms for these mandates. A model from Brazil mandates that companies with more than 100 employees must have 2%-5% PwDs in their workforce, with penalties for non-compliance.
• Japan’s subsidiary system for PwD employees offers a successful example of incentivizing inclusion.

Struggle for Dignity and Representation:

• British artist David Hevey and sociologist Colin Barnes have criticised the negative portrayal of PwDs in media and society.
• PwDs are often stereotyped as objects of pity, incapable of full community participation, or burdens on society, contributing to ongoing discrimination.
• Recent incidents, such as mocking by former cricketers, highlight the continued stigmatisation of PwDs.

The Need for Social Change:

• Ensuring dignity, representation, and respect for PwDs requires both systemic change and social awareness to create an inclusive environment where they can thrive.

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India, particularly in the fields of education and employment. Suggest measures to ensure their inclusion and dignity in society. (250 Words /15 Marks)