Many Bollywood actors have recently spoken about the issue of crime against women, with Ananya Panday, Niharika Lyra Dutt, and Muskkaan Jaferi expressing their concerns, with PTI emphasizing change in society. Ananya added that although women have had their ‘dark days,’ the present generation is stepping out to speak about their issues and ensure that awareness is created.
Speaking about the increasing rate of violence against women and the portrayal of women in cinemas, Ananya said that though raising awareness is important, it has to be accompanied by making necessary changes.
There have always been problems with women, and it is just that now we have started talking about them. Women’s rights exist; it is important to talk about them, but it is even more important to act. There is a need to teach men how to be peculiar in such incidents and, simultaneously, the need for change by passing laws.
Niharika, who co-starred in the movie, lauded the current conversations about equality in the industry, saying, “The problems and disparities have always been there, but today people are using their voices, coming forward saying no to this; hence, it’s great to see the industry moving. Forward with clear and written contracts against sexual harassment and internal complaints committees shooting into effect on sets. ”
Muskkaan also said that now there are different channels for women to report such cases, and they can exercise their rights without restraint. According to her, ‘Yes, we have orientation programs with clear conduct expected in the workplace. This is a major change, as is anonymous reporting.’
These discussions come in the wake of more cases, such as the heinous rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata and the attack on kindergarten girls in Thane: more so the revelations from the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual harassment of women predominantly in the Malayalam movie industry.
