Hyderabad:Can radio challenge traditional gender roles by engaging men in meaningful conversations about masculinity? That was the core focus of a recent workshop hosted by Unesco’s South Asia Regional Office and the University of Hyderabad, which brought together community radio producers from across the country to reflect on how their storytelling could encourage more inclusive gender narratives.Titled ‘Transforming MENtalities: Engaging Men and Boys through Community Radio’, the workshop explored how masculinity is shaped by patriarchy, social expectations and lived experiences. It encouraged participants to move beyond flat portrayals and create radio content that offers honest, layered representations of men.“Discussions on gender often focus only on women, but it is important to talk about men too,” said Dr Shraddha Chickerur from Unesco. Sapna Kedia described how land rights, procreation, and production uphold patriarchal norms and influence how masculinity is experienced and performed.Dr Ravi Verma from the International Centre for Research on Women spoke about recognising caregiving as part of masculinity, especially during fatherhood. “The most meaningful change happens when we work with fathers of infants. That is when involvement, tenderness, and responsibility begin to take shape,” he said.Participants representing nine community radio stations worked on ideas for a four-part programme series on masculinity in their local languages. “I realised my son respects me more than his mother only because I earn. That thinking is flawed and must change,” said Mahesh Jagtap, producer at Vidyavani 107.4 FM.
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