#StandWithHer panel focuses on teaching gender equality at home
HYDERABAD: The sixth #StandWithHer panel discussion took place on Saturday at WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Hyderabad. Experts from cinema, education, sociology, business, research, and social leadership came together to talk about “Parenting – How to Teach Girls and Boys About Equality, Respect, and Consent from Childhood.”
The discussion focused on how parents shape their children’s ideas about equality, respect, emotions, boundaries, and consent from an early age. The panel looked at how daily parenting habits, conversations, and expectations can either strengthen gender stereotypes or help create a more equal and respectful society.
Furthermore, the speakers emphasized that parents should be proactive. They said it is important to teach children to question society’s rules, express their emotions, respect boundaries, and understand that equality starts at home.
Director General of Police, Women Safety Wing(WSW) Charu Sinha IPS said we need to move from reactive parenting to positive and proactive parenting. She asked if a man can be vulnerable without being judged. She added that if we want children to understand equality, respect, and consent, we need to change how boys and girls are raised.
She stressed that it is important to let children, especially boys, show vulnerability without being judged. At the same time, children should learn about responsibility, empathy, and respect from a young age. In addition, she said that the values learned at home help shape how children understand relationships, emotions, and equality as they grow up.
Similarly, Amala Akkineni said that education alone is not enough to raise responsible and caring people. She believes it is also important to teach children how to tell right from wrong, make good choices, and understand the results of their actions.
In the same way, V. Nandini Reddy, film director, said it is important to talk with children and explain things, rather than just passing down old beliefs and rules. She said parents should explain the reasons for rules, not just expect children to follow traditional ideas about how girls and boys should behave.
Additionally, Uttam Reddy, business owner and founder of Rayalaseema Ruchulu, talked about the importance of real conversations between parents and children, especially in today’s digital world. He said parents should put aside gadgets and spend time talking to their children. These regular talks help build trust and give children the confidence to share their experiences and feelings.
Prof. Anurekha Chari Wagh, sociology professor at the University of Hyderabad, added that talks about consent should not just focus on girls. She said it is important to teach girls to say no, but also to teach boys to listen when someone says no. Consent means having the confidence to set boundaries and the responsibility to respect them.
In addition, Chinnagari Charan, student leader, talked about how children learn by watching what happens at home. He shared that he learned anger from his parents and only realized it was wrong in college. This shows that children learn not just from what parents say, but also from what they see at home. The discussion made it clear that gender equality is not a lesson for later; it should be part of daily parenting—through the language parents use, the responsibilities they share, the emotions they allow, the boundaries they respect, and the examples they set.
The panel also said it is important to raise boys who understand empathy, vulnerability, and consent, and to raise girls who know their own rights, confidence, and ability to set boundaries.
#StandWithHer is a year-long program to promote talks about gender equality. It creates spaces where men and women can have honest and helpful conversations. Each month has a new theme to help people understand, raise awareness, and encourage positive change. The discussion showed that building an equal society starts early. By having open talks, challenging gender stereotypes, and showing respect at home, parents can help raise a generation that sees equality as a real way to live and treat others.
