Huma Qureshi: Sexual Harassment At Work Place Not Being Managed Well In India

Actress Huma Qureshi says people in India have a tendency to intimidate a woman when she opens up about sexual harassment, making her feel like an offender instead of a victim. She feels there is a need to create a safer and comfortable environment for women.

“To be honest, sexual harassment at work place is not being managed well. We often have a tendency to intimidate or talk against a woman when she speaks out on sexual harassment as if she is the offender not the man,” Huma told IANS in interview over the phone from Mumbai.

“We need to change the environment where more women feel safer and more comfortable to talk about who is harassing them. It is our responsibility as a society,” she added.

The actress, who opened up about facing sexual advances from people associated with showbiz and different professions, said men need to be part of the dialogue to bring a change.

“I am a feminist. When I say I am feminist, I mean an equal world. I don’t believe in an unequal world. An equal world can be created when men and women come together.

“We cannot do this without the men. We need good, strong male role models as well…So that other men have role model to follow. It has to be done together.”

When it comes to gender equality in the industry, she said, “The problem will go away when we talk about women working behind the scene. There were female actors, but there were few female technicians, women directors, editors, camera person. Today, I see a lot more women working behind the camera.

“It creates a far more safer environment.”

From “Gangs of Wasseypur”, “Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana”, “Ek Thi Daayan”, “Dedh Ishqiya” to “Jolly LLB 2“, Huma takes up strong female characters in films.

She has delivered hits like “Ek Thi Daayan“, “Badlapur“ and “Jolly LLB 2”, but failed to generate the expected response with films like “Dedh Ishqiya”, “D-Day”, “Dobaara: See Your Evil” and “Kaala”.