National Award-winning actor and filmmaker Revathy has called on women to actively participate in social transformation by questioning injustice and speaking up for their rights and dignity at the 6th BSG Women's Symposium in Chennai.

Organised by Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), the sixth edition of the symposium was held at The Music Academy, TTK Auditorium, on August 30 under the theme "The Century of Women Starts with Me: From Awareness to Action."

The symposium brought together women leaders and changemakers to discuss how women can translate awareness into meaningful action and contribute to social and economic progress. Discussions highlighted the role women can play in transforming families, workplaces, communities and society.

Welcoming participants, Rashi Ahuja, Director, Bharat Soka Gakkai, said that meaningful change begins when individuals take responsibility and turn awareness into action through consistent steps.

The symposium also featured real-life experiences demonstrating women's contribution to building a more equitable, compassionate and progressive society, aligning with India's broader ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Addressing the gathering, Revathy, actor, filmmaker and advocate for social causes, emphasised the importance of independent thinking and speaking up against injustice.

"I believe that questioning injustice and speaking up for one's dignity and rights is essential. Even if such ideas are met with resistance at first, they are the ones that ultimately drive meaningful social progress," she said.

Revathy also reflected on the role that independent thinking and social change have played in her own development, highlighting the importance of women developing the confidence to form their own perspectives and act on them.

Vedika Agrwal, Founder of Yein Udaan, an organisation working in education and child-focused development, said the symposium's emphasis on action closely reflected her own work and belief in creating positive opportunities for girls.

The discussions also highlighted the growing participation of women across India in self-help groups, entrepreneurship and community initiatives, signalling a shift away from traditional social structures that have historically limited women's roles.

Dr Kalpana Sankar, MD and CEO, Varashakti Housing Finance Ltd, and Co-Founder, Hand in Hand India, spoke about the importance of long-term and sustainable approaches to women's economic empowerment. She emphasised the value of perseverance and focusing on solutions that create lasting improvements in people's lives.

Concluding the message of the symposium, Dr Jaya Rao, Head – External Relations, Media & Sustainability, Bharat Soka Gakkai, said, "The century of women will not be shaped by awareness alone, but by the courage to translate conviction into action. When one woman takes a determined step forward, she can inspire change in her family, community, and society."

The 6th BSG Women's Symposium reinforced the idea that women's empowerment extends beyond awareness to participation, decision-making and action, with women positioned as important drivers of India's social and economic transformation.

About Bharat Soka Gakkai:

Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) works to promote happiness and peace through initiatives focused on peace, culture, education and sustainability. The organisation has more than three lakh members across 600 towns and cities in India, with women comprising more than 70 per cent of its membership.

Inspired by a philosophy centred on respect for all life, BSG has organised women's symposia since 2021 to highlight women's leadership, awareness and empowerment and their role as agents of social change.