Informal Roundtable Conference: Role of Men in Countering Gender-Based Violence

WeCare, in collaboration with the WFUNA Foundation and in partnership with the United States Mission in India, orchestrated a groundbreaking Informal Roundtable Conference at Hotel ITC Rajputana, Jaipur. This event brought together influential figures from diverse fields to address the pivotal issue of the Role of Men in Countering Gender-Based Violence.

Renowned American educator, filmmaker, author, and social theorist Jackson Katz headlined the conference, joined by Public Diplomacy Officer C.J. Woods and Strategic Public Engagement Advisor Mandeep Kaur from the US Embassy in New Delhi. The objective of the event was to spotlight the crucial role men play in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The proceedings commenced with Apra Kuchhal, a US Fortune Programme Alum, delivering an impactful opening address. Kuchhal shed light on various forms of violence against women, emphasizing the importance of prevention. The audience, predominantly consisting of 30 male representatives from fields including Indian Police Service, Design, Academia, Management, Finance, Banking, Gems and Jewellery, Oil and Natural Gas, Public Relations, demonstrated a collective commitment to the cause.

The roundtable served as a dynamic platform for fostering awareness, dialogue, and collaboration among men to challenge harmful norms contributing to GBV. The event’s comprehensive approach encouraged influential men from diverse backgrounds to take a stand, contributing significantly to global efforts to eradicate gender-based violence and promote a culture of respect and equality.

Jackson Katz highlighted, “Victim blaming is the easiest thing to do; Gender-based violence is not just an issue for women; it’s also an issue for men.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a memento presentation to the esteemed guests by Apra Kuchhal. Notable attendees included IPS Amandeep Kapoor, ACS Sandeep Verma, Designer and Chef Tahir Sultan, Designer Shan Bhatnagar, Management Consultant Rajneesh Singhvi, Industrialist Basant Khaitan, Designer Shantanu Garg, Banker Kunal Gupta, Educationist N.D. Mathur, and many other influential figures who collectively expressed their commitment to combatting gender-based violence.