True equality can change the world. So, while women are powerful on their own, if men become allies in eradicating gender-based bias, it will change the social fabric of the world. On International Women’s Day, it is important to recognize the role men can play in women’s empowerment. They can challenge traditional gender norms, advocate for equal opportunities, encourage women to pursue their goals and ambitions, and fight for a just and equitable world.

Health Shots reached out to Bollywood actors to get a pulse on their understanding of what women empowerment means and the role they have played in empowering the women around them. Find out what they had to say!

Babil Khan: “It’s important for women to be financially independent”

For me, women empowerment is about removing the gap drawn by society between men and women in terms of employment opportunities, wages, respect and equal power of decision-making in families.

The most important thing is for a woman to be financially independent and find her true self beyond daughter, wife and mother.
I am not a social worker, but I can say that it is important to respect women and recognize them as real partners – be it your mother or your staff. I try never to be biased because of gender. But it is not easy in society to give equality to women with years of conditioning by many men.

In our house, we celebrate womanhood because life is more colorful and beautiful because they are in my life. It only takes a moment to notice the innate compassion, love and empathy that a person experiences but finds it difficult to express. I learn every day from women in my office and at home, especially the multitasking that they excel at. So, I really feel that women are as beautiful as they are and they need us as much as they need us.

Also read

Gulshan Devaiah: “Women are mentally equal to any gender”

Women’s empowerment means that regardless of biological differences, women are mentally as capable or incapable as either gender. I am not patronizing them because they are women. I want to be egalitarian in the way I respond to people regardless of their gender.

It’s not really that easy because of some ideas I’ve inherited culturally and socially, but I’m often conscious of it and I’m happy to try and make changes for myself. If we as human beings can be nice and respectful to each other, there is no problem. I don’t believe in giving special attention or privilege to anyone. Equality!! Isn’t that what everyone wants?

Adarsh ​​Gaurav: “Empowering women to realize their freedom dreams”

Women empowerment is about women getting full freedom and education to realize their dreams and getting power/representation as law makers to effect change in society when needed.

Due to my father’s job transfer, I was lucky enough to grow up with my mother. Because of this, I value the financial independence of partners and the freedom to make one’s own choices in matters of daily life. When my mom turned 57 and wanted to get back into driving, I loved her enthusiasm but sensed a little trepidation. I asked him to forget his sorrows and enjoy. A month later, she was on her way to the office and across town to my proud grandparents.

Also Read: Anya Vig: Age is no barrier to champion change, says 23-year-old gender rights advocate

Neil Bhoopal: “Women can lead the world to a better future”

Women’s empowerment means respecting the fact that what the world believes (about women) is wrong. And women truly have the power to lead life as we know it towards a better future.

I have always trusted and followed the intuition of the women around me. I understand that the women around me say and do things to make me a better person.