Shah Rukh Khan: Society needs to educate men on gender equality | World Economic Forum

Summary

The speaker discusses gender inequality, specifically focusing on acid attacks in India, which predominantly target women. He advocates for harsher punishments for perpetrators and emphasizes the need for societal change, particularly in how men view and treat women. The speaker reflects on how equality is a natural state that has been compromised by societal constructs, and highlights the global #MeToo movement as a critical force in addressing gender-based abuses. He calls for world leaders to support gender equality and respect women's rights.

Takeaways

• 🔨 Harsh punishment is needed for oppressors, especially in cases of acid attacks, to deter future crimes.
• 👩 Acid attacks in India target women disproportionately, with 85% of victims being female.
• 💡 Society needs to educate men to change their attitudes toward women, challenging traditional gender roles.
• 🟰 Equality is a natural state, not something that should be sold or defined by society, but something that should exist inherently.
• 🗣️ Gender bias is a primitive mindset; men and women should be treated equally despite biological differences.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Personal experiences, including being a father, husband, and working with women, shape the speaker's belief in gender equality.
• 🌍 The Me Too movement is a societal reckoning and should be supported globally by leaders, as it's a sign of the times.
• 🙅‍♂️ World leaders, including President Trump, should not promote inequality or behaviors that undermine women's rights.
• 🤝 Leaders worldwide have a responsibility to respect and promote gender equality.
• 💪 Misbehavior towards women is unacceptable under any circumstances, and every leader should take a stance against it.

Q & A

What are the two parts of the speaker's response regarding acid attacks in India?

The first part is that harsher punishment for the oppressor might dissuade people from committing acid attacks. The second part is that men need to change their attitude towards women, as the majority of acid attack victims are women.

Why does the speaker believe harsher punishments could be necessary in India?

The speaker believes harsher punishments could dissuade potential attackers from committing crimes like acid attacks, which are often targeted at women asserting their rights.

How does the speaker describe society’s need for change regarding gender attitudes?

The speaker emphasizes that society must educate men to change their attitudes toward women, moving away from traditional, pre-decided gender roles and embracing natural equality.

What does the speaker say about the idea of equality?

The speaker argues that equality is a natural state, not something man-made. Society has created divisions based on religion, caste, and gender, and now it is trying to 'sell' equality, which should have been inherent.

How does the speaker view the link between women's rights and the rise in certain crimes like acid attacks?

The speaker believes that crimes like acid attacks increase when women assert their right to choose, as some men feel threatened and attempt to take that right away.

What does the speaker suggest society should do to prevent gender-based crimes?

The speaker suggests that society should re-examine itself and teach men and boys to respect women's rights to choose and not to impose gender-based limitations.

What is the speaker's stance on gender demarcation?

The speaker considers gender demarcation to be a primitive and stupid thought, arguing that biological differences should not dictate different sets of rules for men and women.

How does the speaker connect their personal experiences to their views on gender equality?

The speaker reflects on their life, being surrounded by women—such as their mother, sister, wife, daughter, and female colleagues—and asserts that they have always seen women as equals.

What is the speaker's opinion on scrutinizing world leaders for their stance on women?

The speaker acknowledges that world leaders are heavily scrutinized, but personally disagrees with any viewpoint that promotes inequality, especially gender bias.

What is the speaker's perspective on the #MeToo movement?

The speaker views the #MeToo movement as a global societal shift where women are standing up against powerful men, which is a reflection of the times and a necessary reckoning with the truth.