Australia Awards South and West Asia

In May and June 2025, male Australia Awards alumni from across South Asia and Mongolia united for Learn, Reflect, Act: Men for Safe and Inclusive Workplaces, a transformative online training opportunity. The three-part series was designed to foster male allyship to address gender inequality and prevent gender-based violence in workplaces and communities.

The initiative built on the formation of the Male Allies for Gender Equality alumni network at the 2024 Regional Alumni Workshop held in Bhutan. It reflects a growing commitment among alumni to advance gender justice through collaboration and leadership.

The three workshops led 30 alumni participants through transformative learning, personal reflection, and actionable strategies to champion safer, more inclusive environments. The workshops encouraged male alumni to see gender justice not as a women’s issue, but a collective responsibility—requiring men’s active participation in challenging the status quo. The series was facilitated by Kristian James Reyes and Trent Larkman, who each brought expertise in gender justice and behaviour change.

Through group discussions and guided exercises, the workshops helped participants challenge stereotypes, build empathy, and reframe traditional understandings of masculinity and power.

The first session focused on the ‘Learn’ element. The facilitators introduced the global scale of gender-based violence and framed inequality as a human rights issue. Alumni explored how patriarchal systems limit women’s opportunities and harm men through emotional suppression and rigid gender roles.

Bhutanese alumnus Tashi Wangchuk said that it caused him to “reflect on how I can create safe, inclusive environments where women’s voices are respected, their contributions valued and their rights protected—whether in my family, friendships, workplace or community”. He added, “It challenged me to not just support from the sidelines, but to actively listen, advocate and stand alongside women in the journey toward equity and dignity.”

Bhutanese alumnus Tashi Wangchuk (far left, seated front row) pictured after receiving his certificate of participation from Matthew Lapworth (far right, back row) the Director of the South and Central Asia Development Section of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, alongside fellow Bhutanese alumni at the 2025 Regional Alumni Workshop held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The second session, ‘Reflect’, focused on introspection, with participants unpacking their own experiences and reflecting on how dominant masculine norms affect relationships, mental health and workplace dynamics.

Following this session, Nepali alum Dibakar Bhujel said, “Today’s workshop helped me realise how rigid gender norms limit both men and women. Being a male ally means breaking free from the ‘man box’, embracing empathy, and promoting respect and equality in all spaces.”

The final session, which had the theme of ‘Act’, provided practical tools for creating substantial, lasting impact in professional settings. From interrupting microaggressions to promoting women’s leadership, alumni explored everyday practices that support inclusive cultures and model healthy masculinity.

Key topics across the training included the visible and invisible layers of gender inequality, emotional repression, and the role of men in interrupting sexism and building equitable relationships. One highlight of the sessions was the inclusion of reflective spaces, which allowed attendees to consider and discuss what their key takeaways were and how they would implement them.

Reflecting at the conclusion of the series, Bhutanese alumnus Phuntso Norbu said, “It was an enlightening and impactful experience that deepened my understanding of the important role men play in fostering inclusive and respectful work environments. I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on my own biases and learn practical ways to support gender equality.”

Alumnus Phuntso Norbu (second from left) pictured alongside fellow alumni from Bhutan and India during the 2025 Regional Alumni Workshop in Colombo.

Bangladeshi alumnus Mohammad Shaikh Salim Reza said, “Learn, Reflect, Act: Men for Safe and Inclusive Workplaces was an eye-opening workshop series that emphasised the vital role men have in creating respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environments. The sessions invited participants to critically examine their own attitudes and behaviours, uncovering unconscious biases that can lead to exclusion or harm. More than just awareness, the workshop urged men to take meaningful action—speak out against misconduct, stand in solidarity with those affected, advocate for fairness, and help foster a culture of respect and inclusion within their workplaces.”

In a post-workshop survey, participants reported significant improvements in their understanding of gender equality and their role as allies. Survey respondents outlined their proposed actions, including commitments to revise internal human resources policies in their workplaces, to mentor younger men in their fields, and to integrate learnings into community leadership policies and practices where possible.

Participants have committed to ongoing engagement through the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia Male Allies for Gender Equality alumni network. By staying connected, sharing resources, and continuing to reflect and act, they are helping build a movement of conscious, committed male allies across South Asia and Mongolia.

This sentiment was summed up by Nepali alum Maheshwar Ghimire who said, “This is only the beginning. We have the knowledge and tools—now it’s time to use them to create safer spaces for all.”

Nepali alum Maheshwar Ghimire (second from right) 0pictured during his time as a scholar in Adelaide with other Nepali scholars.