Swedish Armed Forces
HopeComms has a long history of collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces on gender mainstreaming, inclusive leadership, and equal opportunities.
The assignments have included advising and coaching senior leadership, supporting the Communications Department for 2 years, and delivering training for officers, conscripts, and other target groups such as NOAK and the Electronic Warfare Support Unit, and others across the organization.
The work has combined strategic advisory services with practical training and implementation support throughout the organization.
Kind words
Angelica Knudsen
Lieutenant, 42nd Combat Boat Platoon
Amphibious Regiment, Swedish Armed Forces
Thank you very much. It was a very good lecture and the conscripts seemed to absorb the message well. In their reflections, many wrote that they had gained new perspectives — including on pornography and on how to think about gender equality.
We would very much like to book Viktoria again in the future, preferably earlier in the conscripts’ training.
Micael Bydén
Commander-in-chief,
Swedish Armed Forces
Dear Viktoria,
Thank you for the book The New Man: About Boys, Men and the End of the Battle of the Sexes. I have started reading it and look forward to reflecting on what you write.
What you touch upon is a highly relevant topic and will remain so in the future.
Matilda Lidström Dougnac
Diversity Strategist,
Swedish Armed Forces
I would warmly recommend anyone who wants to work with diversity and gender equality, gender equality mainstreaming, masculinities, and/or the Women, Peace & Security agenda to contact Ms. Viktoria Saxby as an expert.
Viktoria has the ability to explain complex, and for some, provocative issues in a relaxed manner without ever losing the seriousness of the matter of gender equality, diversity & inclusion. She knows that behavioral development and change can be triggered by touching people´s emotions. She is, without losing sight of the academic and theoretical background, open to adding artistic elements such as photography and film clips as a starting point for dialogue (for example in her previous work together with MenEngage/Men-Care.)
Her work as a Gender Coach within the Gender Coach Program - a training program in gender equality and resolution 1325 for the highest leadership of Swedish agencies working with security issues (i.e. the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Police Authority, and the Swedish Defence University) - has been of great value as a Swedish contribution to the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
One last piece of endorsement would be that Viktoria, for many years before it has been more widely discussed as a way forward for gender equality, has recognized the immensely important role that men play in order to further gender equality. So if you are up for the challenge of getting work done and not just talk - please contact Viktoria.
Pauline Pihlsten
Equal Treatment Cadet at the 227th Company of the Officer Program, Swedish Armed Forces, Karlberg.
Thank you for an incredible lecture at our Equal Opportunities Day Viktoria. So many people came up to us and said they were incredibly satisfied and that they learned a lot. By presenting statistics and research on gender equality and diversity, you reached the masses and not just those who are already interested in the subject.
I also know that many men were touched when you talked about the norms of masculinity - you really made a difference. The day opened up discussions that led to a real difference - both results in the school environment and in individuals.
I, and the other cadets, would like to thank you for a very rewarding and important lecture. So - a big THANK YOU for joining us.
HopeComms has a long history of collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces. Assignments have included:
Leadership Coaching
Training and advising the highest leadership within the Swedish Armed Forces on gender mainstreaming, both internally (organizational structures and leadership) and externally (core operations).
Two years of leadership support and one-on-one coaching.
Inclusive Communications Advising
Training and advising the Director of Communications and the Communications Department to strengthen inclusive internal and external communications, with a focus on gender equality, intersectional diversity, and equal opportunities.
This included two years of leadership support and coaching for senior leadership and the Director of Communications, as well as training sessions on inclusive communications for the entire Communications Department.
Training for multiple departments and target groups within the Swedish Armed Forces, including:
Swedish Military Academy Karlberg
Training for more than 500 officers on equal opportunities, anti-discrimination, and PSEAH (Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment).
NOAK – Annual Meeting
Training at the annual NOAK meeting on topics including equal opportunities, anti-discrimination, DEIB, and PSEAH (Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment).
Amphibious Regiment
Training for approximately 250 conscripts on equal opportunities, gender equality, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, including PSEAH (Protection Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment).
Electronic Warfare Support Unit (Telekrigsstödsenheten)
Training for the entire unit on the internal and external benefits of inclusion, gender equality, and equal opportunities.
…and many more.