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Breakthrough India’s Reframe summit calls for engagement with men and boys to achieve gender equality

NEW DELHI, March 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Breakthrough India’s three day Pan-Asia summit “Reframe” started a dialogue on raising awareness on concerns around accountability in the sphere of transforming masculinities and engaging men and boys to achieve gender equality. Initiated by Breakthrough India, the conversation revolved around practices, and challenges in implementing accountability standards.
As India struggles to keep pace with its gender equality targets, national reports of progress against Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality evidence the need for an increased understanding and awareness of the unequal power relations between men and women in society. Globally, current trends show that men and boys have largely been excluded from the gender equality discourse. The engagement of men and boys is a crucial element for progress in India and beyond.
Samitha Sugathimala, Director Programs / Advisor on Gender and Development, FISD, Sri Lanka started the discussion by noting, “When it comes to prevention of gender based violence, there have been a lot of male dominated interventions coming in but there has not been any research about the outcomes of these programmes, in terms of accountability, programme designing, policies, etc. There is a lack of consultation with women’s rights organisations, lack of acknowledgement of women’s rights and leadership, and men in the movement have been taking too much space, especially in leadership roles. We have to question all of these to accelerate the outcomes of the programmes.”  
As envisioned in the Beijing Platform for Action, one critical piece for advancing the gender equality agenda is engaging men and boys. The Beijing framework envisioned male engagement as a necessary means to challenge the structures, beliefs, practices, and institutions that sustain men’s aggregate privileges, as well as to address inequalities between women and men.
Anthony Keedi, Program Manager, Masculinities and engaging men in Gender Equality, Lebanon, said “Accountability is about acknowledging and understanding the part one plays in the harm done against women and other groups in patriarchy through our hidden powers and privileges. On the other hand, the work on engaging men and masculinities should be in conversation with women. Women, and other marginalised groups need to be at the forefront of this process to ensure that we recognise who we are doing this for.”
While women become more empowered to assert their rights, many organisations are also realising the importance of engaging men and boys in the conversation in order to break the cycle of violence. Currently, involving men and boys to achieve social equality varies by country and context. But we need to consider the various factors that influence men and boys, and thus, the work on men and masculinities.
Madhumita Das, Feminist Researcher, Faculty, The George Washington University, India, noted, “If you look at growing evidence about involving men and boys in transforming injustices, most initiatives have a very narrow focus and have been adapted as an instrumental approach rather than strategy. It has been observed that these initiatives tend to over justify the reason for integrating the component rather than deeply understanding how this move will help achieve the overall goal of gender equality. Accountability to women’s rights activists, SRHR, and LGBTQIA+ movement will ensure that our efforts are more effective and impactful and it must be central to all our work with men and boys. Accountability starts with us, from the point of recognising our power and privilege, pushing for collaborative actions, and helping in addressing both personal and institutional practices that go against gender equality and equal rights. Additionally, we have to build a relationship with all the movements that are seeking to challenge the current norms of gender equality.”
Adding to this thought, Sanjog Thakuri, Founder, President of Yuwalaya, Kathmandu, said, “While working with men and masculinities, we have seen that it is very easy for men to talk about gender equality. Two things are missing in our initiatives involving men and boys: conceptual planning and movement building. Men and boys are taking the lead in gender based violence but due to the lack of conceptual clarity, they are exaggerating the engagement of men and doing the bare minimum and occupying the space. We need meaningful and ethical participation of men and boys in the feminist discourse.”
The majority of the work with men and boys focuses on individual behaviour change. While this is important, it is equally vital to ensure that work on men and masculinities centres the systems change agenda in order for this field to meaningfully add value to advance the broader feminist agenda of equality and justice.

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Design POV Returns to Mumbai with its second edition ‘Sense and Sensibility’ – A Celebration of Immersive, Multi-Sensory Design

15 – 17 May 2026 | Jio World Convention Centre, MumbaiMUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Design POV returns to Mumbai from 15 to 17 May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre with its highly anticipated second edition, anchored in the theme ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Building on a successful debut in 2025 that welcomed over 7,000 visitors and featured more than 75 brands and 18 studios, the platform expands this year with deeper curation and a bold exploration of immersive, multi-sensory design.

Founded by Asif Sataar and Gagan Bhatia, Design POV was conceived as a curated environment that moves beyond the conventional exhibition format. While the show speaks through the medium of architecture, it champions all disciplines of design that contribute to a lived space, from interiors and material innovation to lighting, surfaces, furniture and spatial storytelling.”As an industry, we are often conditioned to prioritise what a space looks like because that is how most briefs are framed,” says Asif, Co-Founder, Design POV. “With Sense and Sensibility, we are consciously shifting the lens toward how a space is experienced. Texture, sound, atmosphere and emotion are not secondary layers, they are fundamental to how people connect with a space.”The 2026 edition examines what designing beyond sight truly means, inviting participants to engage all five senses and shape emotional connection within space. From tactility and acoustics to material experimentation and spatial storytelling, the focus shifts from how a space looks to how it feels. It invites brands, studios, artists and designers to present fully realised environments where these elements converge, encouraging deeper engagement beyond surface aesthetics.”From the outset, our intention was to create a setting where design is not simply displayed, but truly inhabited,” adds Gagan, Co-Founder, Design POV. “Each edition strengthens that ambition through sharper curation, stronger collaborations and immersive environments that allow people to connect meaningfully with design.”Positioned at the intersection of commerce and creativity, Design POV offers industry professionals and discerning audiences a space to engage directly with the evolving future of design.Highlights of Design POV 2026 include immersive brand pavilions, experiential installations, new product launches, and curated design studio showcases. Participating design studios include ADND Studio, Abin Design Studio, Alara Studio, Baldiwala Edge, DSP Design Associates, Design Hex, Jannat Vasi Interior Design, Sanjay Puri Architects, Shroffleon, Studio Archohm, and Talati & Partners LLP., among others, while exhibiting brands include Blanc White, Kuche 7, Neytt Homes, Sunroof, and Woven Legacy. Across furniture, lighting, surfaces and textiles, exhibitors will unveil new collections, experimental materials and limited-edition collaborations created exclusively for Design POV 2026.The second edition of Design POV 2026 will take place from 15 to 17 May 2026 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.For more information, visit www.designpovindia.com and follow @designpov.india on Instagram.About Design POV Design POV is an immersive design platform that celebrates unconventional perspectives and collaborative creation. Conceived as a space where architecture, art, and business intersect, Design POV reimagines how design is experienced moving beyond static showcases to fully realised, functional environments. Following a successful debut edition in 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Design POV returns in May 2026 with an expanded vision and deeper interdisciplinary collaboration.At the heart of the platform is The ‘Core’, a curated collective of leading architecture and design studios invited to explore a central theme through unconstrained spatial expression. These studios collaborate with participating brands and build partners to create immersive installations that demonstrate design in context, not isolation.Design POV brings together architects, designers, brands, artists, and discerning audiences including homeowners, industry leaders, and the design curious. Through installations, panels, workshops, and live interactions, the platform fosters dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934542/Design_POV_2026.jpg 

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Mumbai to Host ‘Gen O – Pixels & Play’, a Global Festival of Creators, Gaming and Youth Innovation

MUMBAI, India, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mumbai will host Gen O – Pixels & Play, a four-day international platform celebrating creativity, technology and youth innovation, from 19–22 March 2026 at MMRDA Grounds, BKC. The initiative will bring together creators, innovators, startups, cultural practitioners and international delegates from over 23 countries, placing Mumbai at the centre of global conversations around the future of the Orange Economy and the AVGC sector. The initiative is organised by EFlag Corp, supported by the Government of Maharashtra, with Maharashtra Tourism as the Title Sponsor, as a part of its “India Maha India” initiative.
The festival will be inaugurated by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in the presence of Shri Shamburaj Desai, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and Shri Uday Samant, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of Maharashtra along with international delegates, industry leaders and global participants.Maharashtra has emerged as one of India’s leading centres for media, entertainment and digital content industries, with Mumbai at the heart of the country’s film, broadcasting, gaming and creative technology ecosystem. With world-class connectivity, a vibrant talent base and strong industry presence, the state is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for next-generation creative industries including animation, immersive media, gaming and digital storytelling.The Government of Maharashtra is actively working to strengthen the ecosystem for animation, gaming, visual effects and immersive media through policy support, infrastructure development and skill initiatives. With Mumbai already serving as India’s creative capital, the state aims to further position itself as a global hub for the AVGC and digital creative industries, creating new opportunities for studios, startups, creators and international partners.Gen O has been conceived as a platform bringing together multiple dimensions of India’s rapidly expanding AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics) ecosystem, including immersive media, gaming, digital storytelling, creator-led culture and emerging technology platforms.As a part of the programme, Mumbai will also host an international esports championship featuring national teams from 23 countries across six global regions, highlighting the growing global significance of competitive gaming within the next-generation entertainment economy.The initiative comes at a time when India is placing focus on creative industries through initiatives such as the WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) announced by the Government of India, aimed at positioning India as a global hub for media, entertainment and digital content industries in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision for the sector as a key pillar of India’s future economy.According to the Government of India’s AVGC Task Force, the sector is expected to require nearly two million skilled professionals by 2030, while estimates suggest India’s AVGC ecosystem could grow to over $26 billion by the end of the decade.Across four days, Gen O – Pixels & Play will present a curated festival experience featuring:Live cultural performances and artistic showcasesAVGC-XR innovation and technology demonstrationsStartup and creator ecosystem engagementsArtisan showcases and cultural installations celebrating Maharashtra’s heritageYouth engagement initiatives exploring emerging careers in creative and digital industriesThe festival is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors per day, including creators, developers, students, entrepreneurs and international delegates.Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, said: “Maharashtra has always been a centre of creativity, enterprise and cultural influence. As technology reshapes the global creative industries, platforms like Gen O bring together innovation, talent and international collaboration. Mumbai already stands at the heart of India’s media and entertainment ecosystem, and initiatives like this will further strengthen our position as a global hub for the AVGC and digital creative economy while opening new opportunities for young creators and startups.”Shripad Ashtekar, Founder, EFlag Corp, said:”India’s creative and digital sectors are entering a defining decade. The Orange Awards recognise the emerging creators, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the Orange Economy, and aim to inspire the next generation of talent across India’s creative and technology ecosystem.”With participants arriving from across the world, Gen O – Pixels & Play aims to position Mumbai as a global meeting point for creativity, technology and digital culture, reinforcing Maharashtra’s role in shaping the future of the global creative economy. About Gen O – Pixels & PlayGen O – Pixels & Play is a platform focused on the intersection of creativity, technology and youth innovation across the AVGC ecosystem. The initiative brings together creators, startups, technologists and cultural practitioners to explore emerging opportunities within India’s Orange Economy, while showcasing the future of digital storytelling, immersive media, creator culture and next-generation entertainment industries.About EFlag CorpEFlag Corp builds platforms at the intersection of technology, digital engagement and emerging creative industries. Its initiatives span phygital discovery infrastructure, AI-driven engagement solutions and esports ecosystem development, designed to connect physical experiences with digital ecosystems. The company works with governments, institutions and industry partners to enable scalable innovation across sectors such as tourism, culture, entertainment and the AVGC industry.

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From Rural Roots to Global Impact: Ruma Devi on Women, Craft and Purpose on Herbalife India’s Podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted

BENGALURU, India, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, community and platform, has unveiled a new episode of its podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, featuring renowned social entrepreneur and women’s empowerment champion Ruma Devi.

Titled ‘Threads of Change: From Local Hands to Global Hearts’, the episode captures Ruma Devi’s inspiring journey from rural Rajasthan to global platforms, highlighting resilience, grassroots leadership and the transformative power of skill-based livelihoods.In conversation with Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, Ruma Devi shares how her journey began with a simple need for income and gradually evolved into a movement empowering thousands of women through handicrafts, training and community-driven opportunities. She reflects on building trust within conservative households, enabling women to work from home, and fostering financial independence that reshaped perceptions within families and communities.Speaking about her journey, Ruma Devi said:”Every woman carries a doubt within, that she may not be educated enough, or that her language might become a barrier. But confidence and skill can open doors anywhere. Art flourishes the more it is shared.”The episode also sheds light on the work of the Ruma Devi Foundation, which focuses on skill development, education support, healthcare initiatives and cultural preservation in rural communities. From livelihood training to scholarships and health interventions, the foundation continues to drive meaningful social change at the grassroots level.Commenting on the episode, Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said:”Ruma Devi’s journey is a powerful reminder that sustainable change begins at the grassroots and grows through courage, purpose and community collaboration. Her story perfectly reflects the spirit of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, authentic conversations that inspire individuals to believe in their potential and build a better future.”Through her experiences, Ruma Devi reinforces a simple yet powerful message, that transformation starts the moment individuals choose to believe in themselves and take the first step forward.Watch the Full EpisodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSedbvqh2UIAlso streaming on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sAv4ewhQObo3kjOkpNi3V?si=kWMsSm1wSAKyNpb7HKUbQQApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/threads-of-change-from-local-hands-to-global-hearts/id1808386057?i=1000753523579Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a53233b6-84b5-43ce-a34a-5230c769168b/episodes/c38d5074-13f1-4ee0-82c1-591a5ad184e6/live-your-best-life-unscripted-threads-of-change-from-local-hands-to-global-hearts-ft-ruma-devi-live-your-best-life-unscriptedAbout Herbalife Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935791/Ruma_Devi_Herbalife_podcast.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238437/5868011/Herbalife_Logo.jpg  

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