Unstereotype Alliance's #YouDontSeeMe campaign to address gender stereotypes in Indian advertising

The campaign #YouDontSeeMe launched on July 6 by the Unstereotype Alliance, a collaborative platform convened by UN Women aims to tackle the persistent problem of gender stereotypes in Indian advertising.

India’s advertising industry faces concerns regarding gender-stereotypical portrayals of men and women. According to a recent survey, around 87 per cent of Indian respondents said that women are typically portrayed in traditional roles in their country’s media. Eighty-six percent opined the same with regards to the portrayal of men.

The primary objective of #YouDontSeeMe campaign is to shed light on gender portrayals in the media while emphasising the disparity between on-screen and real-life experiences. The aim of the campaign is to use the power of advertising to transmit gender-positive messages across print, digital and out-of-home media.

"We fully recognize the power and influence of the advertising industry and the advertisers that shape the industry when it comes to stirring positive social norms change,” said UN Women India country representative Susan Ferguson.

Apoorva Bapna, chief culture officer, WPP India, said, “It is imperative that all stakeholders come together to create an ecosystem that promotes gender equality across the board. Unstereotype Alliance in India has made significant progress by bringing together brands, agencies, and policy makers to advance gender equality through empowering business practices and positive messaging.”

Manisha Kapoor, chief executive and secretary general of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), stated, “ASCI is a founding ally of UA's Indian Chapter and has made significant contributions on this subject. Notable contributions include reports such as GenderNext and GenderGains, and guidelines on harmful gender stereotypes. The #YouDontSeeMe campaign is aimed to encourage progressive gender depiction and breaking free from limiting traditional roles.”

Aditi Mishra, chief executive of Lodestar UM, said, "We are delighted to partner with the #YouDontSeeMe campaign and contribute to its mission of challenging gender stereotypes in advertising. At Lodestar UM, we believe in using the power of media to drive positive change and promote inclusivity. By leveraging our media buying expertise, we aim to create impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences and help reshape perceptions. Together with the Unstereotype Alliance, we are committed to advancing gender equality and fostering a more inclusive media landscape.”

The #YouDontSeeMe campaign was developed by Unstereotype Alliance India Chapter members GREY Agency, with media outreach support from WPP and IPG Mediabrands India through their media agencies, GroupM and Lodestar UM.

The two-month campaign will be rolled out across India, with further launches planned in New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Hyderabad reaching around 10 million individuals.