Gender Equality Begins at Home, Says StandWithHer Panel

Hyderabad TSIT: Gender equality must begin within families by promoting shared responsibilities, emotional honesty and mutual respect, speakers emphasised during the fifth edition of the StandWithHer Panel Discussion Series held at WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Hyderabad, on Saturday. The discussion, themed "Equality, Care & Emotional Honesty in Families — Gender Equality and Patriarchal Attitudes," brought together experts from law enforcement, academia, journalism, cinema and social activism to examine how patriarchal attitudes continue to shape family relationships and gender roles. Addressing the gathering, Charu Sinha, Director General of the Women Safety Wing, said many gender stereotypes are sustained by invisible social norms. "It is a rule book no one has written, but everyone follows," she remarked, adding that greater awareness and open dialogue could bring positive change in society. Professor Dr. K. Suneetha Rani, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Hyderabad, stressed that families should empower individuals rather than impose restrictions. "Family is a bonding, not a bondage," she said. Film producer Supriya Yarlagadda observed that individuals thrive when they are free from rigid social expectations, while Poornima Deepika, Founder of the Plantarium Vegan Foundation, urged women to prioritise their own well-being, noting that self-care is essential for healthy relationships. Filmmaker Sashi Kiran Tikka called upon men to actively participate in conversations on gender equality, saying meaningful dialogue is key to challenging patriarchal attitudes. The panel also featured Research Scholar Aman Kumar, while senior journalist Uma Sudhir moderated the discussion, focusing on emotional openness, shared caregiving and equality within families. Organisers said the StandWithHer campaign is a year-long initiative that promotes constructive conversations on gender equality through monthly thematic discussions. The panel concluded that transforming attitudes within families is the first step towards building a more inclusive, compassionate and gender-equal society.