August 26th 2024 Editorial

1. The K. Hema Committee Report and Gender Issues in the Malayalam Film Industry

Introduction

  • Justice K. Hema Committee Report: Released on August 19, 2024, by the Kerala government.
  • Context: The report, initially submitted in 2019, addresses gender-based issues in the Malayalam film industry.

 

Key Focus Areas:

  1. Sexual Exploitation and Assault: Women coerced into sexual favours for opportunities; those who refuse are sidelined.
  2. Discriminatory Practices and Lack of Facilities: Gender inequality in the workplace and inadequate amenities.

 

  1. Sexual Exploitation and Assault
  • Issues Highlighted:
    • Exchange of sexual favours for career advancement.
    • Women refusing to comply face industry ostracism.

 

  • Broader Implications:
    • Reflects a conservative, patriarchal society.
    • Sexual assault seen as a result of systemic objectification and gender stereotypes.

 

  • Statistics:
    • 31,516 rape cases reported in India in 2022 (NCRB data).

 

  1. Workplace Harassment and Legislation
  • Historical Context:
    • Vishaka Guidelines (1997): Supreme Court guidelines for preventing workplace harassment.
    • The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013): Establishes Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

 

  • Hema Committee Findings:
    • ICC Criticized: Perceived susceptibility to influence by abusers or employers.
    • Recommendation: Call for an independent government forum to address industry-specific issues.

 

  1. Challenges with Legal and Investigative Processes
  • Anonymity and Legal Framework:
    • Survivor Anonymity: Names redacted to protect survivors (Section 228A IPC, Sections 72 and 73 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita).

 

  • Concerns:
    • Lack of criminal investigations or prosecutions post-report.
    • Survivor reluctance due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and prolonged trial processes.

 

  1. Need for Structural Reforms
  • Global Perspective:
    • #MeToo Movement: Sparked by Weinstein accusations, led to global attention on sexual harassment.

 

  • Recommendations:
    • Comprehensive reforms in the Malayalam film industry.
    • Address issues affecting women in lower strata, including sanitation and hostile biases.

 

Conclusion

  • The Hema Committee Report has shed light on critical gender issues in the Malayalam film industry, emphasizing the need for structural reforms.
  • Government Role: Essential in implementing recommendations and creating a supportive framework for women in the industry.
  • Broader Impact: The report should contribute to a larger discourse on gender equality and workplace safety across various sectors in India.

 

Mains Practice Question

Q1. Analyze the impact of the K. Hema Committee report on gender equality in the Malayalam film industry. Discuss the structural reforms needed to address the issues highlighted in the report.

Q2. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks in India, such as the Vishaka Guidelines and The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013), in addressing sexual harassment in the workplace. How can these frameworks be improved based on recent findings in the K. Hema Committee report?

 

2. Health Threats from New-Age Gateway Devices

Introduction

  • New-Age Gateway Devices: Includes e-cigarettes, vaping pens, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), heat-not-burn (HNB) devices, and other heated tobacco products (HTPs).
  • Initial Perception: Marketed as healthier alternatives to smoking, intended to help quit tobacco.
  • Current Reality: These devices are causing a public health crisis, particularly among youth.

 

  1. Youth Epidemic
  • Usage Statistics:
    • CDC Report (2023): E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students.
    • Prevalence: 2.1 million students use e-cigarettes, including 550,000 middle school students.

 

  • Target Audience:
    • Marketing strategies using flavours like strawberry, cotton candy, and lemonade.
    • Appeal to children through enticing advertising and colourful imagery.
  1. Psychological Impact
  • Vulnerability:
    • Increased susceptibility among children as young as 10 years old.
    • Adolescents (10-20 years) are the most affected group.
  • Psychological Factors:
    • Desire to fit in and peer pressure lead to increased adoption of vaping.
    • Feelings of loneliness and social isolation reported among young users.

 

  • Addictive Tendencies:
    • High addiction potential due to appealing flavours and marketing.

 

  1. Physical and Mental Health Consequences
  • Physical Health:
    • EVALI: E-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury.
    • Long-term health risks including lung damage.

 

  • Mental Health:
    • Association with depressive symptoms, anxiety, perceived stress, and suicidal behaviour.
    • Nicotine addiction’s impact on brain development up to age 25.

 

  1. Addictive Properties
  • Nicotine Delivery:
    • JAMA Network Open (2022): E-cigarette users often use their first product within five minutes of waking.
    • Enhanced addiction due to efficient nicotine delivery systems.
    • Benzoic Acid: Used to increase nicotine addiction by making it easier to inhale higher nicotine quantities.

 

  • Substance Abuse:
    • Devices used to experiment with harder substances like cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.
    • Misconception that vaping involves only harmless water vapour and flavours.

 

Conclusion

  • Public Health Crisis: New-age gateway devices have failed to deliver on promises of a healthier alternative and instead have become a major health threat.

Mains Practice Question

 

Q1. Discuss the impact of new-age gateway devices like e-cigarettes and vaping pens on youth health. Evaluate the effectiveness of current regulatory measures and suggest improvements to address the emerging public health crisis.

Q2. Analyze the psychological and physical health consequences associated with the use of new-age tobacco products among adolescents. What steps should be taken to mitigate these effects and prevent addiction?

 

 

  • Regulatory and Preventive Measures: Urgent need for stricter regulations and public awareness campaigns to address the rising crisis among youth.

Long-Term Impact: The rising addiction and health issues underscore the need for comprehensive measures to prevent further escalation and support affected individuals.

3. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) : Status and Solutions

Introduction

  • Context: Films like Srikanth highlight the struggles of individuals with disabilities (PwDs) and societal prejudices against investing in their education and well-being.
  • Challenges: PwDs face significant social stigma, marginalisation, and discrimination, particularly in education and employment sectors.
  1. Current Status of Education and Employment
  • Education:
    • Infrastructure:
      • Less than 1% of Indian educational institutions are disabled-friendly.
      • Accessibility Issues: Less than 40% of schools have ramps; ~17% have accessible restrooms.
    • Recent Reports:
      • Sarthak Educational Trust Report: Indicates poor implementation of reservations and incentives for PwDs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

 

  • Employment:
    • Corporate Sector:
      • Only 5 out of 50 Nifty 50 companies have more than 1% PwDs on their rolls; mainly public sector companies.
    • Legislative Framework:
      • Reservation: Mandated in government jobs; incentives in private sector jobs.
      • Implementation Issues: Lack of diversity policies and robust compliance mechanisms.

 

  1. Educational Institutions and Best Practices
  • International Models:
    • Harvard University: Local Disability Coordinators assist PwDs with city accommodation.
    • Stanford University: Comprehensive support including housing and resources for PwDs.

 

  • Indian Context:
    • Shiv Nadar University (2023): Disability support policy offering personalised support.
    • Challenges: Lack of uniformity and institutionalisation in support measures.
    • UGC Guidelines: Draft accessibility and inclusivity guidelines not effectively implemented.

 

  1. Employment Practices and Global Examples
  • Compliance Mechanisms:
    • Brazil: Companies with >100 employees must have 2%-5% PwDs; fines for non-compliance.
    • Japan: Incentives for companies employing PwDs.
  • Current Situation: Legislative mandates often not implemented effectively.

 

  1. Striving for Dignity
  • Sociological Perspectives:
    • David Hevey: Negative representation of PwDs as socially flawed rather than individuals with distinct identities.
    • Colin Barnes: PwDs often portrayed negatively – objects of pity, ridicule, and violence.

 

  • Recent Incidents:
    • Mockery by former cricketers highlights societal disrespect and stigmatization.

 

  • Literary Perspective:
    • Abhishek Anicca: Emphasizes the need for “able-bodied” individuals to bridge the gap and address societal distance.

 

Conclusion

  • Need for Investment: Both public and private sectors must invest in PwDs, ensuring accessible education and employment opportunities.
  • Policy Implementation: Effective enforcement of existing laws and adoption of best practices from global models are crucial.
  • Cultural Change: Addressing societal stigma and fostering respect for PwDs is essential for true inclusion and dignity.

Mains Practice Question

 

Q1. Discuss the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing education and employment in India. Evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and suggest measures to enhance inclusion and support for PwDs.

Q2. Analyze the impact of societal attitudes and representation of persons with disabilities on their opportunities and dignity. What steps should be taken to improve the portrayal and treatment of PwDs in society?

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