Film industry must ensure women's safety: Veena George
text_fields
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George emphasised that the film industry must provide a safe and women-friendly environment, and producers bear the responsibility of ensuring women's security at work.
"More women should step forward, both in front of and behind the camera. When a film is made, it is essential to ensure a safe working environment for everyone involved in the industry, in light of the provisions of the POSH Act 2013 and the recommendations of the Justice Hema Committee report," she said.
The State Health, Women, and Child Development Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a training programme organised by the Women and Child Development Department, in collaboration with Gender Park, to raise awareness about the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act) among those working in the film industry.
She said a training module has been organised to implement the existing provisions of the POSH Act effectively.
"The producer is considered the employer, making it their responsibility to form internal committees and ensure women's safety in the workplace. The participation of various organisations indicates that the film industry is positively embracing this initiative," George said.
Veena George highlighted the state government's commitment to ensuring women's safety in workplaces, citing the new training programme as a crucial step towards creating a more women-friendly Malayalam film industry.
"No one should subject women to abuse—whether through words, gestures, or actions. Women are present in large numbers across various workplaces. Statistics show that in the organised sector, especially in government jobs, women make up the majority," George said.
Minister Veena George pointed out that women dominate Kerala's workforce in several key sectors, making up 65-70% of employees in the state secretariat and the majority of healthcare workers. Additionally, women constitute 60-70% of students in colleges, including arts, science, and professional institutions.
The event was presided over by Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan. Around 60 members of the film industry participated in the programme.
(inputs from PTI)