People Against Patriarchy Summit 2025: A Bold Call to Disrupt Generational Patriarchy
New Delhi, April 2, 2025 — In a landmark effort to dismantle deeply entrenched gender biases, the People Against Patriarchy (PAP) Summit 2025 was held on Wednesday at the Multipurpose Hall, India International Center, New Delhi. Conceptualized and hosted by Leher Sethi, the founder of the PAP Summit, this full-day event provided a unique platform to challenge patriarchal structures that often operate beneath conscious awareness.
Derived from the Greek word patriarkhēs, patriarchy refers to a social system in which men hold a disproportionate share of power—economically, politically, socially, and religiously—while inheritance and authority typically pass down through the male line. The PAP Summit directly addressed this dynamic, offering a rare and powerful space to confront, question, and disrupt these norms.
“True change begins at the root,” said Leher Sethi. “This summit aims to create consciousness around a system that has conditioned us for generations. It’s time to break the silence, challenge the norms, and rewrite the narrative.”
The summit featured six hard-hitting sessions, each tackling sensitive, controversial, and often neglected issues. These sessions brought together thought leaders, activists, professionals, and public figures to spark critical dialogue:
Session Highlights:
1. Diversity in the Workplace
Moderator: Bilal Hasan
Panelists: Dimple Mittal, Roopam Gupta, Tanushree Bhowmik
2. The Trolling Saga
Moderator: Shubhrastha
Panelists: Ishrat Jahan, Dr. Ruchika Sharma, Dr. Sanjukta Basu, Dr. Udit Raj
3. Marital: The Legal Rape
Panelists: Anil Murthy, Barkha Trehan, Dr. Ruchika Sharma, Yashovardhan Azad, Yogita Bhayana
4. Self-Stigma of Masculinity
Moderator: Khurafati Nitin
Panelists: Anil Murthy, Barkha Trehan, Prerna Vats, Dr. Ruchika Sharma
5. Breaking the Silence Around Sexual Harassment
Moderator: Smita Sharma
Panelists: Kiran Sethi, Naaz Joshi, Neha Rai, Jogita Bhayana, Dr. Garima Jain
6. Patriarchy in Cinema
Panelists: Anil Murthy, Anish Gawande, Kaveree Bamzai, Nasir Abdullah, Nelofar Currimbhoy
Each session was marked by open discourse, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to move beyond theoretical discussions into real-world solutions and cultural introspection.
Founder Leher Sethi emphasized, “Patriarchy is the most significant obstacle to women’s advancement. It upholds the belief that men are superior and others must be controlled. The PAP Summit attempts to challenge cultures, traditions, and behaviours that enable this subjugation.”
Roopam Gupta, Co-founder of the PAP Summit, added, “This summit is about creating space for dialogue and action. We’re bringing together voices across the spectrum to collectively dismantle systems of oppression.”
Sanjukta Basu, also a Co-founder, highlighted the summit’s rare inclusivity, stating, “For once, feminists and men’s rights activists sat at the same table. This wasn’t about silos or jargon — it was a real, raw conversation about patriarchy and how to challenge it head-on.”
The PAP Summit 2025 wasn’t just another seminar; it was a movement in action — a space where difficult questions were asked, uncomfortable truths faced, and a community of changemakers emerged more committed than ever to reshaping societal norms.
As the event concluded, the underlying message was clear: dismantling patriarchy requires inclusive dialogue, fearless introspection, and sustained action. And with initiatives like the PAP Summit, the path toward gender equality feels not only possible — but powerful.
Disclaimer: This article has been published as part of a press release/news submission shared by a PR agency. The views and information expressed herein are those of the authors or event organizers and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance or opinions of this publication.
