South Indian Film Women's Association extends support to Me Too survivors

The South Indian Film Women's Association (SIFWA) organised a press meet yesterday at the Reporters' Guild in Chennai to show its support for the sexual harassment survivors from the fields of television and cinema. Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, television anchor Sriranjini, filmmakers Lakshmi Ramakrishnan and Leena Manimegalai were part of the meet.

Sriranjini, who had complained about the misbehaviour of actor John Vijay and Ghatam Umashankar revealed that the former has since apologised for his behaviour and assured that this won't happen again with any others. She mentioned that Umashankar, however, hadn't apologised and had instead asked her to take down the tweets.

Chinmayi, who was constantly interrupted by some reporters resorting to victim-blaming, pleaded for everyone to be more sensitive about the issue. "We are not here to defame all the men in this country. We are only asking men to stand with us," she said. When questioned why she hadn't filed a complaint on Vairamuthu at the time of the alleged incident, she said, "I am gathering evidence to prove my complaints on Vairamuthu. I am planning to produce my passport to substantiate the details of the Switzerland trip."

Vaishali Subramanian, President of SIFWA, stressed upon the importance of establishing a Vishaka committee in each department of cinema to create a secure working environment for women in both television and films.