Patriarchal mindset to blame for inequality: Aamir Khan

Actor and British PM, David Cameron, discuss social issues with college students.

NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor and director Aamir Khan, who has been at the forefront of a debate on gender equality, blamed the “patriarchal mindset” of people for the lesser status of women in society.

He interacted with students at a girl’s college with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron in New Delhi. Khan said most of the queries from the young women were related to the low status of women in society and how they can best use their education.

The discussion started when the students asked what the reason is for discrimination against women.

“The patriarchal thinking is to blame for the status of women in society. We are all born with the feeling that men are superior,” he told reporters.

“We have to deal with the problem in a mature manner. We need to stop the girl child from being killed first and then bring her at par with facilities that are there are for the male child,” he said.

When asked whether he saw movies as a medium to create awareness on the gender issue, Aamir replied by saying, “Dealing with patriarchy is not easy. It is a gradual process. You have to win people over through whatever medium you can like movies, culture and art”.

The B-town star interacted with the students for nearly 30 minutes along with Cameron. He said the girls had questions on how to get jobs inside and outside of their country.

While talking to the students, Aamir also said there was a need to eliminate corruption from amongst ourselves, since the society has corruption on all levels. “Only then we can stop corrupt leaders from being elected,” said Aamir .

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2013.             

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