On Father’s Day, two courageous men who defied patriarchal expectations to protect and empower their daughters are joining forces for the #StandWithHer campaign, a global movement advocating for gender equality and male allyship.
Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, and Ranjit, whose daughter was the survivor of a brutal gang assault in India, met in New York for an emotional and revealing conversation earlier this year. Their dialogue has now been turned into a powerful short documentary released on YouTube, directed by Neha Shastry and Nisha Pahuja (director of the Oscar-nominated To Kill a Tiger).
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“One thing that you and I have in common,” Ziauddin says to Ranjit, “is that we are both known for our daughters. We’re identified because of them.”
Two Daughters, Two Battles Against Injustice
Malala was only 15 when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in Pakistan’s Swat region for her vocal advocacy of girls’ education. Similarly, Ranjit’s daughter, Kiran (a pseudonym), was just 13 when she was gang-raped in Jharkhand, India. The community pressured the family to marry her to one of the perpetrators — a custom rooted in the misguided notion of preserving “family honor.”
But Ranjit and his wife Jiganti refused, choosing justice over silence. As seen in To Kill a Tiger, they pursued legal action — a decision that pitted them against deep-rooted societal norms and community opposition.
“If we force her into marriage, then it’s a big crime,” Ranjit tells Ziauddin. “It would be so oppressive.”
Ziauddin relates deeply to this struggle.
“I also faced something similar when everyone in the community stood against girls’ dignity and justice,” he recalls. “These are the moments that define the character of a father.”
The #StandWithHer Campaign: Male Allyship in Action
The conversation forms the heart of the #StandWithHer initiative, backed by Equality Now, Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, and the MenEngage Alliance. The campaign emphasizes the crucial role that fathers, brothers, and male allies must play in dismantling gender inequality.
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“I didn’t clip Malala’s wings,” Ziauddin states. “But certainly, others wanted to.”
Both men represent different worlds — one, a prominent education activist from Pakistan; the other, a humble farmer in rural India. Yet, their commitment to justice and equality unites them.
“You are very brave to share your story,” Ziauddin tells Ranjit. “This movement will inspire fathers everywhere to stand with their daughters. This is not just a campaign — it’s a fight for human rights and dignity.”
Ranjit adds,
“As more men join, the impact on boys and future generations will grow. They’ll understand what justice truly looks like.”
A Legacy of Resistance and Hope
The documentary captures more than just two fathers in conversation — it showcases a global movement rooted in empathy, solidarity, and the belief that family can be a force for transformative change.
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“As your daughter says in the film,” Ziauddin recalls, “When people walk together, no one can stop them.”
Watch the Full Documentary:
A Conversation Between Two Fathers of Remarkable Daughters is now available on YouTube.
To Kill a Tiger is currently streaming on Netflix.
