The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) formed in the aftermath of the abduction and sexual assault of an actress in February last year, has filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Kerala High Court demanding that all organisations working in the Malayalam film industry implement provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act. Though mandated by a 2013 law, organisations like AMMA and FEFKA are yet to implement the PoSH Act, alleged WCC.
The WCC had issued a statement announcing the PIL via its twitter handle.
In its statement, the WCC said that organisations that had recently set up women’s cells in their organisations to look into the problems faced by women were not functioning according to the stipulated rules and regulations, and that the PIL was to ensure these organisations that function in the Malayalam Film industry implement the PoSH law. The WCC said, “We believe that the entire film fraternity needs to come together to achieve compliance with the law of the land by establishing an industry code of conduct…taking this step forward as an industry will help us create a work culture that assures safety for women, thereby creating equal space and equal opportunities for all.”
So, in an attempt to draw all industry bodies and individuals towards compliance with the PoSH Act, WCC has filed a PIL at the High court of Kerala, Ernakulam.
— WCC (@WCC_Cinema) October 24, 2018
The WCC had organized a press meet earlier this month in which it criticized the lacklustre attitude shown by A.M.M.A towards the sexual assault survivor. The WCC said the AMMA had failed to oust actor Dileep from the organization, which forced Mohanlal, President of A.M.M.A to clarify that he had indeed asked Dileep to tender a resignation.
