Archive · 11 Oct 2026
StandWithHer Panel Discusses Toxic Masculinity and Healthier Manhood
A group met in Hyderabad to talk about how ideas about being a man can affect people.
They discussed how anger, control and dominance can hurt relationships and communities.
The panel said people can question old stereotypes.
It also encouraged men to express their feelings without fear of being judged.
Charu Sinha said harmful behaviours are learned, so people can learn to change them.
She said men and women need and complement each other.
She also said neither is better or worse than the other.
The StandWithHer campaign holds conversations about gender equality.
StandWithHer held the eighth discussion in its panel series at WeHub in Hyderabad.
The panel considered how anger, ego and toxic masculinity affect people, relationships and society.
Participants discussed challenging stereotypes and supporting emotional awareness and respectful behaviour.
Charu Sinha said behaviours linked to toxic masculinity are learned and can be unlearned.
Sinha said men and women are complementary, with neither superior nor inferior to the other.
- Who
- The StandWithHer campaign hosted the discussion, featuring Charu Sinha and participants from media, public administration, the arts and entrepreneurship.
- What
- The eighth panel discussion examined toxic masculinity and healthier expressions of masculinity.
- When
- The event took place on a Saturday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad.
- Why
- To discuss the effects of toxic masculinity and encourage respect, empathy, accountability and gender equality.
Harmful gender expectations
Respectful, equal relationships
Ideas about masculinity
Harmful gender expectations
Societal expectations can normalise anger, control and dominance, affecting relationships, workplaces and public spaces.
Respectful, equal relationships
The panel urged people to challenge stereotypes, build emotional awareness and encourage men to express themselves without fear of judgement.
Changing learned behaviour
Harmful gender expectations
Behaviours associated with toxic masculinity can be learned and can harm people and relationships.
Respectful, equal relationships
Charu Sinha said learned behaviours can also be unlearned, with women and men both having a role in building respectful, equal relationships.
- Campaign
- StandWithHer
- Event
- Eighth edition of the panel discussion series
- Location
- WeHub, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad
- Featured panelist
- Charu Sinha, DG (CID, ACB and WSW)
- Discussion themes
- Anger, ego, toxic masculinity, emotional awareness and respectful relationships
- Campaign duration
- A year-long initiative
- Campaign format
- A different theme each month
