Entrepreneur and politician Saira Shah Halim on Saturday said feminism was fundamentally about equity and equal opportunity, arguing that standing up for women’s rights was unavoidable in a country where violence and discrimination against women remained widespread. Speaking at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2026 during the panel discussion ‘Ghare Bairey: Women, the Nation and Life’, Halim rejected popular stereotypes around feminism. “Feminist doesn’t mean you have to go burn your bra in the streets,” she said. Referring to her own life, Halim said her feminism was rooted in everyday choices. Calling patriarchy a “draconian system,” Halim said silence only strengthened it.

Source: The Telegraph January 11, 2026 08:48 UTC