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Oscar winning filmmaker talks of sexual harassment at workplace

Freida Mock is the maker of a documentary based on the real-life story of Anita Hill, who had accused a judge of sexual harassment in the US in 1991

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At a film screening and interaction held at the US Consulate on Thursday, Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning director-writer-producer Freida Mock and film scholar Melissa Silverstein spoke of gender equality and sexual harassment at workplace.

Mock was in the city to show her documentary 'Anita' – Speaking Truth to Power, which chronicles the life and times of Anita Hill, who started the debate around sexual harassment at workplace in the US.

Anita is the real-life story of Hill who dared to speak about her sexual harassment by a judge and was met with disbelief. Mock said that what shook her country in 1991 was still relevant now though cases are being more openly spoken about and reported than ever before.

About Leslee Udwin's documentary India's Daughter, Mock refused to comment saying she had not seen it. However, she said that that more Indian filmmakers needed to talk about issues that affect their country.

"I began working in this field 25 years ago and was aware of the crazy male behaviour around me. They are expected to hush you but today men and women both are protected in our country but much needs to be done. Although we read stories about gang rapes in India, it happens in our country too but gets muffled. More men are harassed in the military and there is a great deal of sexual assault prevalent our military today."

Mock added that after Anita Hill episode, women began speaking more openly of the harassment they face and more women representatives were seen in politics and legal system. The film spoke of how women feel powerless and commit job suicide because their economic status depends on superiors.

Silverstein is the founder and editor of Women and Hollywood, a site covering issues related to women and film as well as pop culture. She said that her country has recently begun discussing masculinity and the term intersectionality is coming to fore.

Addressing the students that had come for the screening she said that they needed to ask their government why India's Daughter was banned. "Make sure you understand your privileges and bring about a revolution. It took women 100 years to get voting rights and we are more than half the population of the world."

The Indian scene

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, makes it mandatory for all offices with 10 or more staffers to have an internal complaints committee to address grievances within 90 days or face penalty

The committee should have one member from an NGO or association familiar with the subject. It should be a senior-level woman employee at the workplace. Half of the nominated members must be women.

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