Looks like the winds of change are finally in the right direction. In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court had in November 2014 passed a law to curb gender discrimination in the Cine Costume Makeup Artists and Hair Dresser Association (CCMAA). This meant that women could now be a part of the professional association that prohibited them for the last 59 years.
The CCMAA is an association that works within the realm of the Hindi film industry. Although a large part of the women population takes up this profession, the association doesn’t allow the fairer sex to become members. This means that they cannot work in the film fraternity no matter how good they are.
But since the law was passed, Charu Khanna a make up artist who challenged this clause citing it to be discriminatory, has been trying to claim her rights and get a membership of the CCMAA that will allow her to work within the industry. But even after the SC order, the association has refrained from giving her a certificate. This compelled Charu to take them to court a second time.
The SC, talking in favour of Charu and about indiscrimination towards women in the workplace on Monday 16, 2015, firmly asked the association to give her a membership, failing which would result in contempt proceedings against all office bearers.
“You can’t discriminate between men and women. The time has come when you must accept things in entirety,” said Justice Dipak Misra and Prafulla C. Pant.
Charu Khanna, makeup artist who filed the petition
This decision comes as a welcome change from the authorities who have spoken on behalf of the women in question. Charu’s petition against the association last year brought quite a stir in the film fraternity that does not allow women to work as make up artists. The decision in Charu’s favour has made it easier for women to now work within the realms of showbiz as artists. Bollywood celebrities too, have welcomed them wholeheartedly.
Not only were women welcomed with open arms, the other clause that needed a make up artist to be a resident of Mumbai for a minimum of five years to be part of the association, was also abolished.
This is a major victory for women make up artists and also all working women who face discrimination in multiple ways!
Image courtesy: BCCL
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