In the words of Junghwan Kim: “Let’s give more fathers the chance to become active caregivers and role models”

Junghwan Kim is a team leader of the Birth Encouragement Team at Kolmar Holdings. He recently spoke at the Changemaker Conference on 18 September in Seoul, Republic of Korea about his experience at the Papa School: Fatherhood Care Capacity-Building Workshop, co-hosted by the UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Centre and Root Impact in July. As the father of a first-grader, Kim shared his personal journey and reflections on how governments, workplaces and communities can better support fathers in embracing caregiving roles.

A father’s involvement in caregiving contributes not only to family well-being but also to corporate organizational sustainability and gender equality. It is an investment in more resilient families and societies. Participating in the Papa School Workshop in July made it clear to me that I still had much to learn. Meeting other fathers with children of similar ages and sharing our common challenges was incredibly meaningful. Most importantly, it gave me the chance to reflect on the kind of father I want to be to my children and the kind of partner I want to be to my wife. I had thought I was a good father, but I realized I could do more.

Many fathers find themselves navigating the space between the fathers they grew up with and the fathers they aspire to become. These two versions do not always align – so how can we effect meaningful change?

The Papa School has the potential to serve as a catalyst for broader transformation in corporate settings and wider society, supporting fathers as they adapt to this evolving cultural landscape. Sustained support from governments, workplaces and communities is essential to make this shift possible.

At Kolmar Holdings – a company specializing in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and health supplements – we are deeply committed to fostering a family-friendly workplace. In fact, our efforts have been recognized by the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future as an example of national best practice. In February 2024, we launched a dedicated Birth Encouragement Team to strengthen corporate social responsibility and develop more effective family policies. As a team, we work to ensure these policies become a natural part of our organizational culture – because when employees and their families thrive, companies grow stronger.

A father’s attitude helps shape the children, marriages and societies of tomorrow. This is why programmes such as the Papa School play such an important role in promoting gender-equitable and care-friendly values across homes, workplaces and communities in Korea. It marks the beginning of a broader cultural shift – one that lays the foundation for a care ecosystem built on collaboration and investment by international organizations, governments, businesses and local communities.”