Educational Institutions Vital in Preventing Gender Violence: Charu Sinha

The programme brought together Lecturers and Assistant Professors from Government Degree Colleges and Universities across Telangana to be trained as Master Trainers for the statewide rollout of the campaign.

The inaugural session was graced by Charu Sinha, Director- General, Women Safety Wing, Parimala Hana Nutan, Deputy- Inspector General of Police, Women Safety Wing, Dr. Rajendra Singh, Joint Director Department of Education, Dr. Soundarya Joseph, Department of School Education, and Asiya Sherwani, Head of Training, Women Safety Wing.

The 'Stand with Her' campaign is a pioneering behavioural change initiative that encourages men and boys to recognize and call out inappropriate behaviours, challenge gender stereotypes and actively stand with women in creating safe, respectful and inclusive educational institutions and communities.

Through this ToT, Master Trainers will lead similar programmes in their respective institutions, creating a statewide network of educators promoting gender-sensitive campuses. Addressing the participants, Charu Sinha emphasized that preventing gender-based violence requires the active participation of men and boys and that educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping attitudes and behaviours.

Dr. Rajendra Singh highlighted the responsibility of teachers in nurturing values of equality, dignity and mutual respect among students and appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Women Safety Wing and the Department of Education.

The training, led by Asiya Sherwani and a team of experienced facilitators, included interactive sessions on gender sensitivity, identifying inappropriate behaviours, bystander intervention, facilitation techniques and practical strategies for implementing the campaign in higher educational institutions.

The Women Safety Wing thanked the Department of Education, participating colleges and universities and all faculty members for their enthusiastic support. The programme marks the beginning of a statewide cascade of awareness and capacity-building initiatives, reinforcing Telangana's commitment to creating educational environments where everyone has the confidence to speak up, stand up and stand with her.