Feminist Musical Voices in South Asia: A Study of 'Labour' and 'The Man' Môn Thị trường và giá cả | Trường Học Viện nông nghiệp Việt Nam

� 1. Introduction (~4 minutes) Hello everyone,
Today, I invite you into a conversation about music — but not just melody and
rhythm. I’m talking about feminist musical voices, especially those that
resonate across South Asia, where gender roles are still heavily policed and
violence against women remains systemic.
So, what do we mean by feminist musical voices?
These are artists — especially women — who use music to fight silence,
inequality, and deeply rooted patriarchy.
They don’t just sing — they speak up. About domestic labor, social double
standards, sexual violence, and invisible burdens carried by women daily.
� In countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, many
women are still expected to remain quiet, obedient, and invisible.
But music — especially from global female artists — gives them language,
strength, and most importantly, community.
Even though today’s featured songs come from Western musicians, they’ve
had powerful emotional and social impact among young women in South Asia:
● Paris Paloma (UK) with her viral 2023 song Labour
● Taylor Swift (USA) with The Man (2019)
These songs became emotional touchstones for women across the subcontinent
— not just Spotify hits, but tools for reflection, resistance, and solidarity.
� 2. Let’s kick off with Labour by Paris Paloma.When this track dropped in 2023, it
exploded into a viral sensation, resonating not only in Europe and North America but
also across South Asia, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Young women in bustling
cities connected deeply with its raw depiction of the often-overlooked domestic and emotional burdens they carry.
Lines like “All day, every day, therapist, mother, maid…” strike a chord with South
Asian feminist conversations, where the spotlight often falls on women’s unpaid roles
at home. Paloma also captures the generational weight of these expectations with
haunting words: “If we had a daughter / I’d watch and could not save her / The
emotional torture…” This speaks directly to the cycle of gendered labor that South
Asian feminists often highlight, where deep-rooted traditions pass down rigid roles to
daughters, generation after generation.
On platforms like Instagram Reels and Tiktok, South Asian creators have embraced
the song, pairing it with poignant visuals of daily chores—often in silence, .These
videos amplify the song’s message, turning it into a rallying cry for change.
Now, let’s move to The Man by Taylor Swift (2019), which gained renewed
momentum in South Asia during the #MeToo wave that swept through the region
from 2018 to 2021. In this track, Swift flips the script, highlighting the line: I’d be the
man. She depicts how men are celebrated for traits that women are often penalized for
— ambition, assertiveness, confidence.
In places like Pakistan and Bangladesh, feminist student groups began using Swift’s
lyrics in social media campaigns that addressed workplace inequality and
gender-based harassment, often layering them over protest photos or clips of everyday sexism.
Together, Labour and The Man have become more than just songs. They significantly
encourage the mentality of young South Asian women who are done staying silent and ready to demand recognition.
� 3. Cultural Impact in South Asia (~4 minutes)
Let’s now explore the actual impact of these songs in South Asia —
especially in digital culture.
� Labour by Paris Paloma:
● Gained viral traction in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal through
short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok (pre-ban in India)
The song has struck a chord with South Asian women on platforms like TikTok, with ten
thousands of users sharing personal stories of gendered labor, showing its
relevance to their lived experiences
● Feminist groups in South Asia have featured the song in online campaigns and
protest videos to highlight issues like domestic violence, unequal labor division,
and women’s economic marginalization.
● The song’s global feminist message has helped to bridge local South Asian
feminist movements with international ones, fostering cross-cultural solidarity and
amplifying calls for systemic change.
� The Man by Taylor Swift:
● Widely used in university gender studie projects across India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
In contexts like India, Pakistan, and Indonesia, “The Man” has been used by young
women and feminist groups to highlight the unequal standards applied to men and
women at home, work, and society. It challenges the notion that success and
assertiveness are valued only when exhibited by men,
encouraging women to claim space and recognition. For example, Indonesian scholars
have analyzed the song as a framework to understand masculinity and gender roles,
using it to interrogate power dynamics in their society
● South Asian feminists and youth have shared “The Man” widely on platforms
like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, creating videos and posts that connect the song’s
critique of patriarchy to local experiences of misogyny, workplace discrimination, and domestic expectations
� For many South Asian women, The Man opened up discussion on how
patriarchy works quietly but effectively — through judgment, double standards, and exclusion.
� 4. Conclusion (~4 minutes) To conclude:
� Labour and The Man are not just a catchy Western pop songs.
They have become powerful tools of resistance — crossing borders, crossing
cultures — and speaking directly to the lives of South Asian women. These songs are:
� A mirror for the struggles of South Asian women
� A microphone for stories that are usually ignored
� A feminist toolkit — for classrooms, protests, and personal healing
So what can we do in our context?
✅ Listen closely to these songs — and to the women around us
✅ Speak up about stories of domestic labor, double standards, and invisible emotional work
✅ Support South Asian feminist creators who are now building on this musical resistance
And above all — keep the conversation going, in music, media, and real life
Because even in places where speaking out is risky, music still lets women scream — and be heard. Thank you. Speaker 1
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a concept of the future—it’s here, embedded in the way we
make films today. From visual effects and scene generation to dialogue and voice overs, AI
is increasingly integrated into every step of filmmaking.
Today’s most prominent AI tools include Sora by OpenAI, which can generate short video
clips from text prompts; RunwayML and Pika Labs, which assist with motion design and
AI-generated video edits; and ElevenLabs, used for AI-generated voice performances.
Filmmakers are using these tools for a range of functions: creating storyboards
automatically, generating digital backgrounds, accelerating post-production, and even writing
dialogue drafts. What used to take weeks of technical labor can now happen in hours.
And this trend is accelerating. According to Gartner’s 2023 media forecast, by 2025, more
than 40% of all marketing video content will be at least partially AI-generated. This isn’t just a
technological shift—it’s a creative and cultural one. So the big question is: will AI simply help
us create better films, or is it about to take over? Speaker 2
Let’s look at the positive side of AI in filmmaking. When used well, AI doesn’t
replace human creativity—it amplifies it, acting as a trusty partner that helps artists
work smarter. It lets them experiment with bold ideas, speed up workflows, and bring
concepts to life without draining their time or budget.
One of the clearest benefits is workflow optimization. AI can take over repetitive,
technical tasks—like metadata tagging, captioning, or rotoscoping—freeing up more
time for filmmakers to focus on the creative aspects. As Andrew Page, director of
advanced technology and entertainment at Nvidia, points out, this kind of automation
not only saves labor but also accelerates the entire production pipeline.
Beyond efficiency, AI also contributes to creative enhancement. Take Everything
Everywhere All At Once, for instance. While not an AI-generated film, it smartly
incorporated machine learning tools to craft surreal transitions and detailed sound
design—adding emotional and visual depth. AI made it easier to achieve effects that
might have been too time-consuming or expensive if using traditional methods.
There are also other movies using AI for editing. In Avengers: Infinity War,
AI-powered facial capture software (Masquerade 2.6) was used to transform Josh
Brolin’s performance into the hyper-realistic CGI character Thanos. Meanwhile, The
Lion King (2019) relied on deepfake-style AI and virtual production tools to animate
lifelike animal expressions and movements, blending realism with digital artistry. Speaker 3
But here’s where we need to pause. Because with these new powers come significant
risks—especially for people who depend on creativity for their livelihoods.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in 2023 partly over the use of AI in
screenwriting. Writers feared that studios could use tools like ChatGPT to generate scripts,
bypassing human storytellers and eroding the value of their craft. This concern isn't just
economic—it’s existential. If machines start producing narratives, where does that leave the soul of storytelling?
Another major concern is authorship. If an AI writes a script based on thousands of films it
was trained on, who actually owns the output? The programmer? The user? The AI itself?
These are legal gray areas that current copyright law isn’t equipped to answer.
And then there’s authenticity. Deepfake technology has already been used to resurrect
actors who’ve passed away. Carrie Fisher’s digital appearance in Star Wars sparked both
awe and discomfort. Do we want a future where performers can be reconstructed indefinitely without their consent?
As Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror, once said, “If anyone can press a button to
make a film, what happens to art?” Speaker 4 So, how do we move forward?
We don’t need to reject AI. We just need to use it the right way.
That means giving credit to people, asking for permission when using someone’s voice or
face, and paying artists fairly. The EU’s AI Act, passed in 2024, is one example of making
rules to protect human rights.
But more than rules, we must remember what makes art special.
AI can copy, but it can’t feel. It doesn’t know love, pain, or memory.
So instead of asking “Can AI make movies?”, we should ask:
“What stories can only humans tel ?”
Because in the end, AI can help us imagine. But it can’t replace our imagination.
Hello everyone, we are group number 6, and today we will be discussing a
controversial yet popular form of purposeful travel – volunteering abroad.
Our narrowed topic is: “Volunteering Abroad – Is it Really Helpful?”
This question has become more relevant in recent years as thousands of young
people choose to travel and volunteer in developing countries.
- definition: So, what is volunteer tourism? It refers to form of travel
combining volunteering with exploration, where travelers help
communities through activities like teaching, conservation, healthcare, and development.
In Vietnam, this has become especially common among Gen Z students.
According to a 2023 report by Booking.com Vietnam, nearly 78% of Gen Z
Vietnamese travelers prefer trips with social or environmental impact.
Typical voluntourism activities in Vietnam include:
● Teaching English to children in ethnic minority areas
● Joining rural development programs (sanitation, farming, etc.)
● Supporting local NGOs in environmental projects
But here’s the big question: Are we truly helping others, or just helping ourselves feel better?
Now, let’s hear from HIỀN about the positive impacts of volunteer tourism.
HIỀN – Positive Impacts
There’s no doubt that volunteer tourism can be incredibly meaningful—when it’s
done with care and good intentions. Instead of treating it like a quick trip to “help
the poor,” more and more young people today are joining with a mindset of learning, exchanging, and growing.
so the 1st benefit of voluntourism is sharing skills and building cultural bridges
Take the Student Volunteer Campaigns organized by the Ho Chi Minh Communist
Youth Union, for instance. Every year, thousands of university students head to remote
provinces like Lai Châu or Kon Tum, rolling up their sleeves to make a difference.
They teach kids, improve sanitation, and even introduce digital skills to local
communities. At the same time, these students pick up real-life skills: teamwork,
communication, and cultural adaptability. They immerse themselves in local
traditions—taking part in herbal leaf baths, listening to the rhythms of cồng chiêng
(gong culture), or learning to sew a khăn piêu, a traditional embroidered scarf. Making an Immediate Impact
The Green Summer Campaigns are another great example. Over the past five years,
volunteers ve built more than 2,000 toilets and water tanks in underserved parts of the
Mekong Delta, according to Thanh Niên News (2023). While these efforts might not
tackle every long-term challenge, they address pressing needs—like clean water and
sanitation—that can’t wait.
That said, volunteer tourism isn’t without its flaws. Let’s hear KHÁNKHÁNH dive
into the potential downsides and criticisms.
KHÁNH – Criticisms & Risks Thank you, HIỀN.
Even in Vietnam, volunteer tourism faces serious concerns. Unskilled Volunteers
Many Gen Z students join trips without proper training. In some programs,
volunteers were teaching English despite having no background in education.
This can lead to miscommunication, confusion, or even discouragement among learners.
According to a study by the Vietnam National Institute of Education Sciences
(VNIES), 68% of local teachers in ethnic schools felt that student volunteers
lacked the training to support long-term education goals. “Savior” Mentality
Sometimes, volunteers act more like outsiders “saving the poor,” rather than collaborators.
This mindset may weaken local confidence and create dependency.
Case Study: Orphanage Voluntourism in Hanoi & Huế
Investigations by Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (2021) found that
some orphanages accepted volunteers mainly for donations, not for the children’s benefit.
In some cases, frequent volunteer turnover caused emotional stress for the children.
So… how can we fix this? MAI will show us how to volunteer ethically.
MAI – Conclusion & Ethical Solutions Thank you, KHÁNH.
Despite its flaws, volunteer tourism can still be meaningful and beneficial – if done responsibly.
Here are some ways to volunteer ethically:
1. Research the organization. Make sure it is community-led and transparent
about where your time and money go.
→ For example, VEO (Volunteer for Education Organization) works
directly with ethnic communities in Hà Giang and Sơn La – they co-design the programs.
→ According to VEO's 2022 internal report, 93% of their projects were led by locals.
2. Only do what you’re qualified to do. Don’t teach if you’re not trained.
Don’t build if you don’t know construction. Focus on support roles that match your skills.
3. Think of volunteering as mutual learning, not charity. You are not there to
“fix” people – you are there to listen, learn, and assist where needed. To conclude:
Volunteer tourism among Gen Z in Vietnam is not bad. – but it becomes
problematic when it's done with the wrong mindset. If done with humility,
preparation, and respect, it can lead to positive, lasting change.
Thank you for listening. We are now ready to answer your questions.