The conservation gathered a group of men and talked about things that they rarely talk about. The participants combined representatives of the VBCWE, SWP, VBCSD, and leaders of large groups such as Ericsson and AEON Vietnam.

It is a private occasion for guys to express their opinions about the intangible pressure of males in developing career and their responsibility to the family and society. Entire shares of the conversation will be kept secret.

Participants were open to discuss questions, such as what is the model that people build for males in the workplace? Have you ever thought that you do not try to become this model? Or have you ever hidden your sadness and failure to maintain your position?

Dao Dinh Dat, business partnership and finance manager at VBCWE, said that outside of work, men are generally expected to be the providers for their families, and they are expected to be strong in every situation. Sometimes, they also feel pressure on these expectations.

“In my opinion, 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,” Dat said.

Guy Talk was founded by Ida Östensson and made equal as a reaction to a wave of sexual assaults at Swedish music festivals in 2016. The initiative quickly spread across Sweden.

Guy Talk is a method for starting conversations on different themes about what it’s like to be a man. It’s based on the idea that the dialogue about gender equality also needs to be owned by men and boys, not only by women.

In Vietnam, the Guy Talk was co-organised for the first time by the VBCWE, SWP and partners in early July.