Shuttler Jwala Gutta's tweets criticising an unnamed “popular” female actor, for her comments on casting couch, have caught the attention of many. Gutta argues that women who are in a position where their voices are taken seriously should speak more responsibly. She asks celebrities to accept the existence of sexual harassment at workplaces because that way we can start looking for a solution to it.
Do we deny the existence of a crime because we haven’t experienced it?
Gutta raises a very valid point here.
Should one not acknowledge the existence of crimes like rape, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation at workplace, just because we haven't experienced it first hand?
Many actors from the entertainment industry have spoken about the existence of casting couch. Going by Gutta’s tweet, if the actor has said that “it’s up to us as women what to accept and what not to,” then she is no better than social outfits who shake off all accountability and point the moral compass in women’s direction.
Those who shirk away from standing up for the plight of other women, just because they have never come face to face with an untoward incident, need to realise that their voices matter as well. Doesn’t it affect you to know that it could have happened to you, or your friends, or sister or daughter?
We cannot debate on the accountability of women who trade sexual favours for work. They need to realise that they embolden vultures who know that they can use their power and gain sexual favours.
But in many cases, the decision is not in the hands of women entirely.
Many would not choose to willingly go down this path if there was any other option. Which is the root of this problem at hand. Instead of blaming women for complying with sexual misconduct at workplaces, we need to ask why they have to do so.
Casting couch, for example, is a two-way street. The industry will have to block both its ends to stop anyone from going down that road. Instead of dumping the moral responsibility on women who opt to give in to such practices out of desperation, the industry should get its act together in incorporating fairer practices.
When you take away the option of sexual favours, and crack down on sexual exploitation at workplace, everyone gets equal opportunities and success is based on talent and skill. As Gutta puts out in her tweet, “Why should anyone have an advantage or disadvantage over each other when it comes to opportunities? Let there be the right opportunity and then let the talent take its course!”
Well served Jwala!
Also Read : Actress’ Nude Protest Against Casting Couch In Telugu Filmdom
Yamini Pustake Bhalerao is a writer with the SheThePeople team, in the Opinions section. The views expressed are the author’s own.
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Jwala Gutta Criticises Actress for Comments on Casting Couch
Shuttler Jwala Gutta's tweets criticising an unnamed “popular” female actor, for her comments on casting couch, have caught the attention of many. Gutta argues that women who are in a position where their voices are taken seriously should speak more responsibly. She asks celebrities to accept the existence of sexual harassment at workplaces because that way we can start looking for a solution to it.
Do we deny the existence of a crime because we haven’t experienced it?
Gutta raises a very valid point here.
Should one not acknowledge the existence of crimes like rape, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation at workplace, just because we haven't experienced it first hand?
Many actors from the entertainment industry have spoken about the existence of casting couch. Going by Gutta’s tweet, if the actor has said that “it’s up to us as women what to accept and what not to,” then she is no better than social outfits who shake off all accountability and point the moral compass in women’s direction.
Those who shirk away from standing up for the plight of other women, just because they have never come face to face with an untoward incident, need to realise that their voices matter as well. Doesn’t it affect you to know that it could have happened to you, or your friends, or sister or daughter?
We cannot debate on the accountability of women who trade sexual favours for work. They need to realise that they embolden vultures who know that they can use their power and gain sexual favours.
But in many cases, the decision is not in the hands of women entirely.
Many would not choose to willingly go down this path if there was any other option. Which is the root of this problem at hand. Instead of blaming women for complying with sexual misconduct at workplaces, we need to ask why they have to do so.
Casting couch, for example, is a two-way street. The industry will have to block both its ends to stop anyone from going down that road. Instead of dumping the moral responsibility on women who opt to give in to such practices out of desperation, the industry should get its act together in incorporating fairer practices.
When you take away the option of sexual favours, and crack down on sexual exploitation at workplace, everyone gets equal opportunities and success is based on talent and skill. As Gutta puts out in her tweet, “Why should anyone have an advantage or disadvantage over each other when it comes to opportunities? Let there be the right opportunity and then let the talent take its course!”
Well served Jwala!
Also Read : Actress’ Nude Protest Against Casting Couch In Telugu Filmdom
Yamini Pustake Bhalerao is a writer with the SheThePeople team, in the Opinions section. The views expressed are the author’s own.