TH Group discusses the role of men in promoting gender equality

More than 200 officers and employees of TH Group companies in Nghe An recently participated in the discussion "Men pioneering gender equality" to listen and discuss the role of men in promoting gender equality from family to workplace and in the community.

On December 11, the Vietnamese Stature Fund (VSF) in collaboration with TH Group and the Men's Forum for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development (VNMENNET) organized a seminar on "Men taking the lead in promoting gender equality" for more than 200 employees of TH Group's member companies 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.

The seminar was organized by VSF in collaboration with TH Group and VNMENNET within the framework of the "Orange 2024" campaign - Photo: TH Group

Opening the discussion, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Kien, Lecturer at the University of Law (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), drew the attention of the participants with haunting images and figures about the reality of gender inequality in Vietnam for both women and men - something that many participants of the discussion still find unfamiliar. With nearly 2/3 of women having experienced at least one form of violence by their husbands or intimate partners in their lifetime, women account for the majority of victims of domestic violence. However, according to 2024 data, the proportion of male victims is showing signs of increasing compared to previous years.

Following the introduction was a roundtable discussion 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 and Social Affairs), Journalist Truong Anh Ngoc; and representatives of TH Group's leadership: Ms. Luu Thi Thu Hien, Deputy General Director of TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, Director of TH Milk Factory, Chairman of the Trade Union of TH Milk Joint Stock Company. The discussion took place under the direction of Ms. Tran Hong Diep, Director of VSF.

The role of sharing in creating a “truly happy” family

During the discussion, speakers Truong Anh Ngoc and Dang Hoa Nam brought very simple stories about equality in their own homes.

Journalist Truong Anh Ngoc emphasized the need for efforts from both men and women to promote gender equality. Accordingly, he said 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 solutions.

Ms. Luu Thi Thu Hien and Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung shared about TH Group's experiences in creating an equal and fair working environment - Photo: TH Group

“Household chores are not about who helps who because it is the responsibility of both husband and wife,” he said.

Sharing the same view with journalist Truong Anh Ngoc, Mr. Dang Hoa Nam shared about the important role of both husband and wife in caring for and raising children. He opposed the notion that “spoiled children are the mother’s fault, spoiled grandchildren are the grandmother’s fault”, arguing that this is not only unfair but also places a burden on women. According to him, the comprehensive development of children can only be achieved when both father and mother share responsibility and accompany each other in the journey of raising children.

Equality in the corporate environment

Not only stopping at family, gender equality in the workplace is also a topic that speakers brought up for heated discussion.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, Director of TH Milk Factory, Chairman of the Trade Union of TH Milk Joint Stock Company, said that in the past, the staff recruited at the factory were mainly men due to the prejudice that women were not good at machinery and technical work. However, after business trips and learning from experiences of foreign enterprises, he realized that using female labor in factory operations was not strange. This awareness motivated him to change his perspective and start recruiting female personnel.

The results far exceeded initial concerns: The female employees at the factory not only met the job requirements but also proved to be just as capable as their male colleagues. From an environment that was once dominated by male workers, now more than 30% of the staff at the TH milk factory are female.

“The reality at the TH milk factory has proven that women are fully capable of operating equipment and undertaking heavy work no less than men. They have the right and ability to work in equivalent positions,” Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung affirmed.

TH Group's male representatives perform the action commitment ceremony - Photo: TH Group

Ms. Luu Thi Thu Hien, Deputy General Director of TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company, also shared more about the diversity-equity-inclusion-engagement (DEI&B) policy and the fair recruitment regulations, respecting differences that TH Group has been applying. These have contributed to creating cohesion among employees in the Group, creating a premise for the sustainable development of the enterprise.

“Whether at home or at work, knowing how to respect, share and connect is key to promoting gender equality,” she emphasized.

Commitment to action together

In addition to listening to the speakers, the participants also had the opportunity to interact directly, ask questions about gender equality and the role of each individual in changing stereotypes, as well as share stories about gender inequality that they have witnessed or experienced. Along with that, they participated in team games to reinforce information and knowledge about gender equality.

“For a long time, I thought gender equality was only for women. After today’s session, I realized that men also have pressure and suffer from inequality,” said Dang Thi Ly, one of the attendees.

But ribbons and orange messages are hung up to represent a commitment to join hands to act for gender equality - Photo: TH Group

Through the discussion, participants also understood that promoting gender equality comes from simple, everyday things, and each individual has a responsibility in it.

“After the discussion, I realized that gender equality starts with daily chores in the family and life. Men also need to share the burden with women so that both sides can be more comfortable,” said Bui Trung Kien, another attendee.

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

Mr. Tal Cohen – Chairman of the Board of Directors, General Director of TH Dairy Food Joint Stock Company – said: “To promote gender equality, we recognize that men play a key and extremely important role. I believe and call on men at TH Group to accompany women in sharing family responsibilities, careers and voices in the community, demonstrating fairness and respect for women, contributing to building a more equitable society where both genders have the opportunity to develop”.

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.

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/tap-doan-th-toa-dam-ve-vai-tro-cua-nam-gioi-trong-thuc-day-binh-dang-gioi-10224121318511309.htm