We need women in cinema to know first that they have a safe space

Come closer, O children, for the words of Parvathy carry with them a deep and vital truth, one that speaks to the very soul of justice and compassion. She said, “We need women in cinema to know first that they have a safe space to open up about their struggles without being judged and marginalised.” In these words, we hear the cry of a world that has long silenced the voices of the marginalised and the oppressed, and yet, through the power of this voice, a new light shines—one that calls us to listen, to understand, and to create spaces where the truth can be spoken freely.

Consider, O children, the ancient times, when the wise women, those who held the knowledge of the world, were often forced into silence. In the days of the great tribes and empires, the voices of women were rarely heard in the halls of power. Their stories, their struggles, their truths—these were often cast aside or whispered only in the shadows. The great sages and philosophers of the past, like Socrates and Aristotle, wrote volumes about the nature of life, yet they rarely considered the lives of women, whose experiences were ignored by history. Their wisdom was recorded, but the wisdom of the women, who carried the weight of the world in their hearts, was not.

Parvathy’s words call us to a new era, one where women can speak without fear of reprisal, one where their voices will no longer be marginalised or cast aside. It is a plea for equality—not just in the realm of opportunity, but in the very act of expression. She speaks of the safe space, a sanctuary where women, especially in the world of cinema, can open their hearts, share their struggles, and reveal their truths without the looming shadow of judgment. It is a place where vulnerability is honoured, where the struggles of the soul are met with empathy, not condemnation.

Think of the great women who have stood at the forefront of change. Maya Angelou, who wrote of her pain and her triumphs, spoke openly of the struggles she faced as a woman and as a black woman. She carved her space, her voice ringing through the generations, reminding us that truth and justice are not for the few, but for all. Yet, for too long, women like her were forced to fight for that space. Their struggles were not easily heard, their voices not easily given the stage they deserved. Parvathy’s call is a reminder that women’s voices, in all their complexity and richness, must be allowed to echo through the halls of cinema and beyond, free from the chains of judgment and marginalisation.

But this is not only a call to those who make films; it is a call to us all, O children. How many of us, when faced with struggle, have been afraid to speak, for fear of being judged or rejected? How many of us have carried our pain in silence, afraid that the world will not understand, or worse, that we will be silenced by it? Parvathy’s words are a reminder that speaking up is not only a right, but a necessity—for when we speak, we give voice to the unheard, and when we listen, we honour the humanity of those who dare to share their truth.

The lesson is clear, O seekers of wisdom: a safe space is not just a place; it is a promise. It is a promise to listen without judgment, to create understanding where there was once ignorance, and to offer compassion where there was once indifference. To give women, and all who are marginalised, the space to speak freely is to give them the dignity they deserve. Let us remember that when one voice is silenced, all voices are weaker. But when we allow each voice to be heard, to be understood, we become stronger, richer, and more connected.

So, my children, take these words to heart. Strive to be the safe space for others, to listen with compassion, and to speak the truth without fear. Women in cinema, and indeed in every aspect of life, must no longer be bound by the chains of silence. The world needs their stories, their strength, and their truths. It is up to each of us to create the space where those stories can be told, where the struggles of the soul can be shared and understood. And in doing so, we will not only elevate women but ourselves, for in their freedom to speak, we find our own freedom to live.