Workplace equality has to be built, not announced: Charu Sinha

Charu Sinha, Director-General of the Cyberabad Cyberabad Intelligence Bureau and Women and Social Welfare, emphasized during a panel discussion in Hyderabad that creating an equal workplace requires more than mere announcement. She highlighted that workplace exclusion often manifests subtly, urging the visibility of such inequalities and the amplification of women's voices.

The session, titled 'Inclusive Workspaces — Everyday Fairness, Respect & Voice: Women Leadership and Remuneration', brought together professionals from various fields including public administration, cinema, media, entrepreneurship, and creative industries. Pony Verma Prakashraj, a choreographer, recounted her experience being the sole woman competing against male counterparts, having to prove her capabilities.

Actor, writer, and director Adivi Sesh challenged the notion that women were "given permission" to work, arguing that such an idea itself underscored an imbalance in societal perceptions of women in workplaces. Rajinikanth Vellalacheruvuyu, the Editor and CEO of an organization, pointed out the male dominance prevalent in society, noting that women made up approximately half of his company's workforce.

TGSPDCL Chairman and Managing Director Jitesh V. Patil discussed the increasing presence of women in the power sector and their significant contributions. The conversation centered on the challenges women encounter in securing leadership roles, receiving recognition, and fair compensation, as well as the difficulty of voicing concerns without being judged through gender stereotypes. #StandWithHer is an ongoing initiative striving to foster discussions on gender equality by exploring various themes.