GlobalGuytalk addresses male engagement – next step towards gender equality

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Swedish Ambassador Ann Måwe at the launch ceremony in Hanoi on March 8, 2021. Photo: Swedish Embassy

Globalguytalk is an initiative by the Swedish foundation Make Equal which is now being spread to the rest of the world by the Swedish Institute.

In cooperation with the Swedish Institute, Make Equal, the Vietnam Women's Union, the Vietnam Women's Museum and Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi launched Globalguytalk in Vietnam on March 8.

The aim is to start conversations between men that can influence attitudes and contribute to creating a more equal society.

"The overall objective of gender equality is a society in which women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and obligations in all spheres of life. One part of achieving that is for men to understand their chance to be a part of positive change and to reflect on their own situation. My belief is that it is necessary for a healthy family relationship that men talk to each other and overcome prevailing patriarchal mentalities of not sharing emotions", shared Ambassador Måwe at the opening of the event in Hanoi.

“Globalguytalk” offers an opportunity for men to share experiences and reach a deeper level of understanding of how norms and expectations often create an unhealthy, destructive environment that we are responsible for changing.

Sweden is ranked as one of the most gender equal countries in the world. It is also one of five countries with a feminist foreign policy. Gender equality work has long been a struggle driven by women and women´s organizations. Thus, an important mission for Sweden is to involve boys and men in the work for gender equal societies, for example by implementing initiatives that promote positive forms of masculinity. Male engagement is a key factor in removing the underlying social and cultural attitudes that support gender inequalities. In this regard, the event invited David O. Kronlid, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor Uppsala University, who had lead a men’s group in Uppsala for many years – to share his experiences as guest speaker.

Globalguytalk is a follow-up of the photo exhibition Swedish Dads by Johan Bävman – shown in over 70 countries including Vietnam. This inspired quite a number of similar initiatives in Vietnam during the last few years including Vietnamese Dads and Equal Families.

"I am impressed and find it interesting to see the content of this exhibition, because there are not many forums for Vietnamese men to share their thoughts. That shows us that equality sometimes does not come from the big thing, but it comes from harmony, emotion, and desires from both sides. From there, joining hands and efforts to build a more equal society", said Nguyen Hai Van, Director of the Vietnam Women's Museum./.

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