#MeToo movement and societal health

The #MeToo India movement has brought into fore what we have all known for long but chosen to ignore: in a society dominated historically by men, women have sometimes had to put up with extremely unjust or exploitive demands by some male bosses, right from getting jobs, staying at them, climbing up the ladder or making it to the top. The degree of rot in our system is beginning to get exposed particularly in some professions such as the film and media industries, but there are many others where it is rampant too.

When a dear friend requested me last week to share my views on the #MeToo movement spreading across the country, I was amused. I had written on this very topic one year ago but had been disappointed by the lack of response from my readers. There were no Indian celebs shamed by then, and my column was perhaps a little ahead of its time. It has suddenly come alive now because of the large number familiar faces that are tumbling out of the closet.

#MeToo movement has a vital role to play in making the workplace fair, safe and dignified for women. Yes, there have been laws and courts and police, but how effective have they been all these days? The fundamental difference has been to replace logic, evidence, proof and lengthy arguments in a male dominated court that has sometimes paradoxically perpetuated the emotional trauma and humiliation of female victims, by a more direct method of “shaming” the offender in society, and making him mend his ways.

What could then be the concerns for the future?

1.The movement should not remain confined to elitist jobs where powerful educated women come to. So far, women who have dared their bosses all seem educated, smart and resourceful. My concern is for the many young girls hailing from modest backgrounds working in less glamorous areas such as nurses and patient helpers or domestic aids, who are being exploited everyday. Will our media, both electronic and print, give them the voice that they deserve too.

2.And what about “smaller” offenders, destroying lives, but not as famous as union ministers or film stars, that could make heads turn? Would they be news worthy for the media?

3.Could there be a concern about misuse of this newly discovered power? I understand many employers are already discussing the pros and cons of employing women, fearing potential fallouts of negative publicity, litigations and lack of productivity if charges of sexual misconduct come up.

4.Many men, and fortunately now some sane women, are beginning to accept its misuse potential, for vested personal reasons, such as a denied promotion.

5.Last, but not the least, I am concerned whether many “healthy” office environments will find themselves transforming into strained, stiff, paranoid cold ones where a woman may be on the constant lookout for a chance to complain against a male colleague. And the wisp of romance will evaporate from work places altogether.

The #MeToo movement, if not misused or subverted, has the potential of becoming an effective game-changer for our society.