The Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the UN Women Bangladesh, hosted a photography exhibition titled, Swedish Dads and Bangladeshi Babas recently at Zainul Art Gallery, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka. The exhibition showcased 47 photos in total, 25 of which were taken by Swedish photographer Johan Bävman along with 22 photos of Bangladeshi fathers, selected from a process that involved a call for photos from all over Bangladesh.

The event started with Charlotta Schlyter, Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, welcoming the audience with a speech. “I hope to inspire more men to begin reflecting on their roles as fathers and partners, which is an important step towards a more gender-balanced society,” she said.

Her welcome address was followed by another speech by Shoko Ishikawa, Country Representative, UN Women Bangladesh, where she elaborated on the discriminatory gender issues. “UN Women believes that engaging men in the discussion on gender equality and having dialogues with them to break gender stereotypes and turning them into advocates of change is the best way forward,” she stated. “Through the 'He For She' initiative and through events such as this, we want to have more engaging discussions with men, going forward.”

A panel discussion was also organised, where Anders Öhrström, Counsellor and Head of Development, Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, Naveed Mahbub, standup comedian and Zaheen Islam, Category Head of Hair Care at Unilever Bangladesh, spoke about parental leave for men and its necessities. The exhibition concluded on March 10.