- Experts call for equality, emotional honesty and shared caregiving within families
- IPS officer Charu Sinha says changing mindsets at home is key to lasting social transformation
THE JOURNALIST POST | Hyderabad | July 11, 2026 :
Gender equality must begin within families if society is to achieve lasting social transformation, speakers said during the fifth edition of the #StandWithHer Panel Discussion Series held at WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Hyderabad, on Saturday.
The panel discussion, themed “Equality, Care & Emotional Honesty in Families – Gender Equality and Patriarchal Attitudes,” brought together experts from law enforcement, academia, cinema, journalism, and social activism to examine how patriarchal attitudes continue to shape family relationships, caregiving responsibilities, emotional expression, and opportunities available to both women and men.
Addressing the gathering, Charu Sinha, IPS, Director General of the Women Safety Wing, observed that many gender-based expectations are guided by invisible social norms.”It is a rule book no one has written, but everyone follows,” she remarked, referring to the unwritten rules that often dictate gender roles within households.
She emphasized that open conversations and awareness can encourage families to challenge stereotypes and build more equal relationships.
Professor Dr. K. Suneetha Rani, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Hyderabad, stressed that families should nurture freedom rather than reinforce restrictive traditions.”Family is a bonding, not a bondage,” she said, urging families to promote equality, dignity, and emotional well-being.
Film producer and actor Supriya Yarlagadda highlighted the importance of allowing individuals to grow without being burdened by gender-based expectations.”When some of these conditions are removed, there is so much beauty in the individuals,” she observed.
Founder of the Plantarium Vegan Foundation Poornima Deepika encouraged women to prioritize self-care alongside family responsibilities.”It might sound selfish, but don’t deprioritize yourself,” she advised.
Filmmaker Sashi Kiran Tikka appealed to men to actively participate in conversations about gender equality.”All men should talk about these things. Only when you talk, it gets resolved,” he said.
The discussion was moderated by senior journalist Uma Sudhir, who guided conversations on emotional honesty, shared caregiving, and the importance of creating equitable family environments. Research scholar Aman Kumar contributed sociological perspectives on how gender roles are learned and reinforced within households.
Organisers said the StandWithHer campaign is a year-long initiative designed to promote dialogue on gender equality through monthly discussions covering different social themes. The campaign seeks to create platforms where men and women can openly discuss challenges, encourage mutual understanding, and promote positive social change.
The panel concluded that lasting gender equality cannot be achieved through laws alone, but requires changes in attitudes and behaviour within homes, where values and social norms are first developed. Participants stressed that emotional honesty, mutual respect, shared responsibilities, and equal opportunities within families are essential for building a more inclusive and compassionate society.