Men take the lead in promoting gender equality

On December 11, in Nghia Dan, the Vietnam Stature Fund (VSF) in collaboration with TH Group and the Men's Connection Forum for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development (VNMENNET) organized the seminar "Pioneering men in action to promote gender equality".

The seminar was attended by more than 200 officers and employees of member companies of TH Group in Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province. This is an activity within the framework of the campaign "To Cam 2024 - Solidarity to end violence against women and girls" jointly organized by VSF, TH Group and Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (BAC A BANK) to raise awareness and affirm the role of men in promoting gender equality, from family to community and workplace.

Raising awareness and taking concrete actions for gender equality

At the seminar, a roundtable discussion took place with the participation of two famous speakers in the field of gender equality and community development: Mr. Dang Hoa Nam - Director of the Department of Children (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids & Social Affairs), Journalist Truong Anh Ngoc; and representatives of TH Group's leadership, Ms. Luu Thi Thu Hien - Deputy General Director of TH Dairy Food Joint Stock Company, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Director of TH Milk Factory, Chairman of the Trade Union of TH Milk Joint Stock Company. Ms. Tran Hong Diep - Director of VSF was the moderator of the roundtable discussion.

Emphasizing the need for efforts from both men and women in promoting gender equality, journalist Truong Anh Ngoc shared about the invisible pressure from traditional gender stereotypes that men face.

“Gender equality is not something that women do for themselves, or men accept to bow down to women’s struggles for equality. Gender equality must come from both sides, so that both sides can see the problems that the other side is facing, and from there find ways to solve them,” he emphasized.

From a state policy perspective, Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) affirmed the importance of introducing gender equality education into all levels of education from an early age, because this is the stage where awareness and attitudes about gender begin to be formed. Building an education that helps children realize that the value of each person does not depend on gender or gender identity is the most sustainable way to eliminate gender prejudice, gender stereotypes and promote a young generation that respects diversity and equality.

In addition, he also mentioned the Government's efforts in building a legal framework to protect the rights of women and girls, as well as encouraging men's participation in awareness-raising campaigns and concrete actions for gender equality.

Commitment to action

Providing a practical perspective from the corporate environment, Ms. Luu Thi Thu Hien - Deputy General Director of TH Dairy Food Joint Stock Company shared TH Group's experience in creating a friendly and fair working environment for both men and women, where each individual is encouraged to develop comprehensively through the Diversity - Equity - Inclusion - Engagement (DEI&B) policy and fair recruitment regulations.

Not only listening to the speakers, attendees also had the opportunity to interact directly, ask questions about gender equality issues and the role of individuals in changing stereotypes, as well as share stories about gender inequality that they have witnessed or experienced.

In addition to the roundtable discussion, 200 participants also participated in a team game to reinforce information and knowledge about gender equality. The game created a lively atmosphere and helped participants gain a deeper understanding of concepts such as gender stereotypes, gender-based violence, and practical actions to promote gender equality in everyday life.

A touching and meaningful moment in the discussion was when male representatives from member companies of TH Group in Nghe An participated in the Commitment to Action ceremony, affirming their determination to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.

At the end of the event, more than 200 participants wrote messages and commitments, affirming their personal responsibility in building an equal and safe society for women and children.

The seminar "Men taking the lead in promoting gender equality" is part of the campaign "To Cam 2024 - Unite to end violence against women and girls" co-organized by VSF, TH Group and BAC A BANK.

Through activities such as decorating orange corners at nearly 100 offices and branches nationwide, online communication on newspapers, television, social networks and direct communication at 25 TH True Mart stores, organizing internal competitions, seminars, building a Livelihood Support Fund for women who have suffered violence and are in difficult circumstances, the campaign aims to raise public awareness about the issue of violence against women and children, and promote practical actions to support victims of violence.