Femonationalism in the civic-integration work conducted by a Swedish NGO with men’s groups

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ABSTRACT Drawing upon the work of Sara R Farris on femonationalism, this article presents an empirical study of the men’s group activities of ‘Vi är Sverige’ (‘We are Sweden’), an NGO that educates male migrants in gender equality. How are problems of gender inequality presented in this context? What versions of gender equality are being taught, and what are the pros and cons thereof from a feminist perspective? Methodologically, this paper draws upon a thematic analysis of public documents and media postings from Vi är Sverige, as well as on observations and individual interviews with members of one of its men’s groups. Our findings indicate that, in these activities, problems of gender inequality were attributed to non-Western men and their perceived lack of Swedish attitudes and values; while injustices done by native Swedish men were passed over in silence. Hence, we have found femonationalist tendencies in civic-integration programmes implemented by an organisation in Sweden that work with men’s groups. However, these programmes did promote a dynamic view of masculinity, thereby providing opportunities for change also to male migrants from societies with a predominantly Muslim population. The participants themselves expressed a favourable attitude towards gender equality, thereby constructing a non-white Swedish masculinity.