Beijing has many fascinating events for Women’s Day 2019. But one of the most intriguing invites us to think about men – and their role as fathers to daughters. BARE’s conference “How to Empower Women as Daughters?” brings together four fathers and four daughters, to share stories about this crucial relationship and the role it plays in women’s lives.
“BARE is about creating a safe space for people to be completely themselves, to share their doubts, their fears, ask for help, complain, because that’s how you relate to each other,” said Helena Javitte, one of the event’s organizers. “You remove all the labels, the status, the public image, you stop pretending and you just talk from an individual to another, so I wanted to have dads open up and share their visions and their tips.”
Helena Javitte
“Through BARE events people can connect and openly talk about the challenges behind success,” added Dorothe Stahljans, who works with Javitte on the project. “And also define for themselves what being successful means. The events provide good tools for your professional career, but also for your private life. In that way, you get new input to get out of the daily worries that we are so often stuck within, and we find a way to show vulnerability.”
Dorothe Stahljans
But why dads, we asked?
“People could argue that I should have invited mothers as well,” Javitte said. “But I believe it’s quite rare to have men and dads open up about their doubts. So I wanted to have dads open up and share their visions and their tips, and I hope we’ll have lots of dads coming to ask questions to other dads and be reassured that it’s OK to feel like you are not good enough.”
It was an expression of vulnerability of this kind that inspired the event, Javitte told us, when she was talking to a Beijing entrepreneur about his daughters.
“And he said that he sometimes isn’t sure if he is doing a good job. Knowing him and how he connects with his four daughters as individuals, I thought it was crazy that a dad like him would have any doubts.”
We asked what people could expect if they came along to the conference.
“They can expect concrete tips and anecdotes from dads, and different visions from dads.
They can expect emotional stories, but also different perspectives from women; about what it means to be strong, for instance.”
All are welcome to the event, Javitte said, “children, parents, moms and dads, young men and young women…” But she particularly hopes men will attend.
“2019 for BARE is the year of men; I want to involve them more.”
Tickets for the conference cost RMB 70. Previous BARE events have sold out, so early registration is recommended! Use the QR code below to book your place.
Photos: courtesy of BARE
