CM Revanth Reddy Urges Men to Become Brand Ambassadors for Women’s Safety

Hyderabad, March 2026 : A. Revanth Reddy, the Chief Minister of Telangana, has called upon men across society to become “brand ambassadors” for the protection and dignity of women. Emphasising that ensuring women’s safety is not only the responsibility of the police or the government, he said it must be treated as a collective social responsibility shared by every citizen.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while participating in the launch of the “Stand With Her” campaign, organised by the Telangana Police Women Safety Wing at the JNTU Campus Auditorium in Hyderabad. During the event, he unveiled the campaign brochure and praised the Women Safety Wing for initiating a programme that encourages men to play a responsible role in protecting the safety, dignity, and equality of women.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister urged young people, especially men, to show courage and stand up whenever they witness harassment of girls or women. He warned that ignoring such incidents or turning a blind eye only encourages criminals and allows such behaviour to continue. According to him, society must develop a mindset where the same concern shown when harassment happens to a family member is extended to every girl and woman in the community.

“Registering complaints and filing police cases is important, but preventing such incidents is equally essential. When society becomes alert and responsible, crimes against women can be reduced significantly,” he said.

Speaking on the broader purpose of observing International Women’s Day, the Chief Minister said the day should not be limited to symbolic celebrations or programmes. Instead, it should serve as an opportunity for society to reflect on the challenges faced by women and to work towards creating a safer and more equal environment.

He pointed out that while women are often described as symbols of strength and the honour of the family, the reality is that many still step out of their homes with a sense of insecurity. According to him, this situation demands serious introspection and reform within society to ensure that women can move freely without fear.

Highlighting the role of women in governance and public life, the Chief Minister noted that Telangana is currently being governed by a party led by a woman and that the political tradition of empowering women has deep roots both before and after India’s independence. He also recalled the significant role played by women in the Telangana statehood movement, stating that their courage and determination helped shape the identity of the state.

Today, he said, women are holding key positions in the Telangana Police as well as in several important government departments. A state or nation can be considered truly progressive only when women and girl children are socially, politically, and economically empowered, he remarked.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the initiatives being undertaken by the Telangana Government to ensure both safety and economic independence for women. According to him, empowerment cannot be achieved without financial independence, and therefore the government is implementing several programmes aimed at strengthening women’s self-help groups.

Under initiatives such as the Indiramma Housing Scheme and interest-free loan programmes, benefits are being extended in the names of women to ensure that they gain ownership and financial security. These schemes are designed to improve women’s standard of living while also strengthening their role in household decision-making.

In addition, the government is encouraging women to become entrepreneurs and asset owners. Women are being supported to own solar power generation units and buses under the state transport system, enabling them to generate sustainable income and achieve long-term economic stability.

To expand market opportunities for women entrepreneurs, the government has also entered into partnerships with global companies such as Amazon. Through these collaborations, products made by rural women in Telangana are being promoted and sold in international markets, creating new avenues for income and recognition.

The Chief Minister also spoke about symbolic initiatives aimed at inspiring future generations. The Women’s University in the state has been named after Chakali Ailamma, a celebrated figure associated with courage and resistance in Telangana’s history. Additionally, statues representing Telangana Thalli have been installed to symbolise the strength, inspiration, and dignity of the girl child.

Looking ahead, he said that women’s leadership will play a critical role in achieving the goals outlined in the Telangana Rising 2047 Vision. According to him, the state can aspire to become a three-trillion-dollar economy only when women participate fully in economic growth. However, such progress will be possible only when women feel completely safe and secure in society.

The Chief Minister also drew attention to emerging challenges related to women’s safety, particularly in the digital space. While earlier incidents of harassment were largely confined to specific locations or public spaces, he noted that online crimes against women have increased significantly in recent years.

Issues such as cyber harassment, deepfake videos, and online exploitation are becoming more common and require strong institutional responses. To tackle these threats, he said, the state government has strengthened the Telangana Cyber Crime Department, equipping it with advanced tools and resources to address cyber-related offences.

He also strongly criticised the social tendency to blame victims when incidents occur. “The harmful practice of blaming girls must end. Instead of questioning the victim, society must support her and stand by her during difficult times,” he said.

Encouraging people to adopt the spirit of the campaign, the Chief Minister said that the message of “Stand With Her” should become a guiding principle for society. Supporting women, raising one’s voice against injustice, and creating a safe environment for every girl must become a shared responsibility.

The programme was attended by several dignitaries, including former advisor to the Chief Minister Vem Narender Reddy, Shivdhar Reddy, Director General of Police of Telangana, Additional DGP (Women Safety) Charu Sinha, film actor Sai Dharam Tej, senior police officials, and a large number of students who participated in the launch of the campaign.