Will the #MeToo movement change India?

In India, women are taking to social media to speak out against sexual harassment they’ve experienced in the media and entertainment industries. Men accused of inappropriate behaviour have included Bollywood stars, singers, and even a former prominent news editor who is now the country’s junior foreign minister.

 

The wave of accusations was started last month by former Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta. Encouraged by the global #MeToo movement’s impact in Hollywood, Dutta retold her experience of being sexually harassed by well-known actor Nana Patekar during a 2008 film shoot. She has since filed a new police report against Patekar, who denies any wrongdoing.

 

Those who side with accusers also see a lack of enforcement of India’s laws meant to protect people against workplace sexual harassment.

 

In this episode, we’ll hear from other women driving the #MeToo movement in India. To what degree will it change the behaviour of sexual predators and would-be harassers?

 

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

 

Sandhya Menon @TheRestlessQuil

Reporter and Writer based out of Bangalore

therestlessquillblog.wordpress.com/

 

Mahima Kukreja @AGirlOfHerWords
Comic & Poet

 

Rutuja Shinde @HavaldarShinde
Lawyer

 

Trisha Shetty @TrishaBShetty / @shesaysindia
Founder, She Says India
www.shesays.in/about#vision

 

Read more:

 

India’s #MeToo comes amid calls for 2013 law’s enforcement – Washington Post
What is it like to be sexually harassed by your own boss and mentor? This writer shares her brave story – Elle India

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.