Sometimes it is necessary to give credit where it is due. About most Indian men, as well as men in general, the overarching opinion is that they’re highly unsupportive of women and their struggles. Oftentimes, we dismiss men for their genuine contributions and hinder the growth of symbiotic relationships that would eventually benefit us, women.
However, a quick Twitter question by renowned journalist Barkha Dutt last year about ‘supportive men’ has brought to the forefront several examples of men smashing patriarchal norms and displaying the kind of equality we all deserve in our lives. So how are Indian men showing their support? Here are a few examples.
1. The career support we need
Senior manager Sneha Makhija tweeted the support she found from her husband for reaching a milestone in her career. While the working woman has always faced the ‘tightrope’ conundrum of oscillating between being ‘too feminine’ and ‘too masculine’, here is an example of a woman achieving her dreams with her favourite Indian man beside her.
Credit: Twitter/Sneha Makhija
2. Standing by a future leader
Another career encouragement that needs mention comes from Pooja Gianchandani who completed her German Chancellor Fellowship with the support of her partner. “Meet @subhadipbiswas. He has been by my side – as secure as it gets. Even if it meant leaving his work and moving to a new country to support me during my #ChancellorFellowship so I could represent my country. It’s been 5 years and he hasn’t changed a bit,” she wrote on Twitter.
Credit: Twitter/The Skills Pundit
3. Spreading period awareness
It’s encouraging to see TV actors like Shoaib Ibrahim speak so openly about periods. It’s important that we normalise the menstrual conversation and free women of the stigma. It speaks highly of the kind of support that Indian men are willing to provide when they decide to be true allies.
Credit: YouTube/Shoaib Ibrahim Official
4. My own two cents…
Even personally, I have encountered a lot of support from my partner surrounding big life decisions. Whether it’s moving away for a better job opportunity or standing up to sexism independent of my identity, it has only reinstated the kind of understanding that even Indian men can provide.
Credit: Instagram/Srijoni Roy
Lead image credit: Hope Productions
