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Actress Shanthi Priya, widely recognised for her presence in the Indian film industry, has recently expressed her strong support for the findings and recommendations of the Hema Committee, a body established to address issues related to sexual harassment. For those unaware, the findings of the three-member Justice Hema Committee set up in 2017, were made public on August 19, 2024. The report uncovers disturbing stories of mistreatment, exploitation, and sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Although the committee handed the report to the Kerala government in December 2019, it was only now released with a few details blacked out. The report has revealed shocking details about the treatment of women in the Malayalam film industry. Following the reveal, actor Shanthi Priya has reacted to the report. Now, in an exclusive interaction with Zoom, Priya highlighted the importance of such initiatives, urging for their widespread adoption across various industries.
Shanthi Priya On Hema Committee Report
In an exclusive chat with Zoom reacted to the Hema Committee Report and said, “Honestly, I am deeply relieved by the implications of the Hema Committee report.”
Recalling her own experiences, Shanthi Priya added, "From my own experience, whenever someone has attempted to cross boundaries, I've always stood my ground. It's crucial that initiatives like this not only exist but are fully supported and implemented. We cannot let the momentum fade away as we saw with the MeToo movement, where despite the outcry, unacceptable behaviour continued."
Shanthi Priya: Alarming Situations In Medical Sector Too
Shanthi Priya’s comments resonate with many, particularly in the wake of the global MeToo movement, which, while transformative, highlighted the persistent challenges women face in securing safe working environments. She emphasised that the issue of harassment is not confined to the film industry, despite its high visibility and constant media scrutiny.
"The issue isn't confined to the film industry alone. Just because it’s glamourised and constantly under scrutiny doesn't mean it's the only place where these issues occur. We've recently seen the alarming situations within the medical sector, too," she noted.
Harassment In All Sectors
This observation points to the broader societal problem of harassment across all sectors. Shanthi Priya’s call for the establishment of more committees like the Hema Committee in other industries underlines the need for systematic change. “Therefore, I believe it’s vital to establish more committees like the Hema committee across all sectors, ensuring they operate full-fledged to safeguard the rights of every woman,” she added.
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Shanthi Priya's support for the Hema Committee underscores her commitment to championing women's rights and safety. Her advocacy for broader implementation of such initiatives reflects a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive mechanisms to protect women, not only in the entertainment industry but across all professional fields. As an industry veteran, her voice adds significant weight to the ongoing conversation about the importance of institutional safeguards to prevent and address harassment.