StandWithHer campaign focuses on men’s behaviour in public spaces
HYDERABAD: The fourth #StandWithHer campaign panel brought together speakers from the worlds of cinema, journalism, and law enforcement on Saturday. They discussed how men’s behavior affects women’s experiences in public spaces, an issue often ignored.
The event, held at WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Hyderabad, was titled “Public Spaces as Shared Spaces: Presence of Men and Their Behaviour (Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces).” Speakers shared how actions like staring, catcalling, unwanted comments, harassment, and intimidation limit women’s freedom, movement, and sense of safety.
During the discussion, Charu Sinha, IPS, thanked the supportive men in her life. She then addressed those who make public spaces unsafe, saying, “Your presence is a choice, you have to make it safe for women around you.” Further, Sinha stressed that safety in public spaces is everyone’s responsibility. She called on men to be aware of how their actions affect women’s sense of security.
In addition, Filmmaker Sekhar Kammula said the issue is complex but requires urgent collective action. “We have to create an environment that makes women feel safe,” he said. He called for a cultural shift based on respect, accountability, and systemic change.
Similarly, Actor and filmmaker Rahul Ravindran focused on how men can build trust and communication. “As men, we should make it comfortable for women to open up to us,” he said. He stressed the need for empathy, active listening, and safe spaces where women feel heard and believed.
Meanwhile, Richa Mishra, Resident Editor of The Hindu Businessline, directly challenged traditional ideas about masculinity. She explained, “A supportive man is not weak. A man who stands by women is much stronger than other men,” she said. She called for more solidarity and allyship from men in all spaces.
Moderating the discussion, journalist Uma Sudhir urged men to go beyond passive support and take action against discrimination and harassment. “Be a man, stand up for women,” she said. She stressed that creating safer, more inclusive spaces requires courage, responsibility, and action.
The #StandWithHer campaign is a year-long initiative to promote gender equality through open conversations. Each month has a different theme to inspire understanding, raise awareness, and encourage positive change.
The panel concluded that inclusive public spaces need more than strong systems and policies. They also require awareness, respect, and responsibility from everyone. The panel said public spaces belong to all and making them safe is a shared duty.
