As we go back to school following the summer break, we are keen to cast an eye on opportunities to create long-term behavioural and mindset shifts in our next generations for an inclusive, gender equal city.

At first read, this may seem like an unnecessary focus. On the surface, women and girls enjoy equal access to education in Hong Kong, with a higher percentage of women than men enrolled at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong and female university graduates outnumbering male graduates across greater China.

However, simply having equal numbers of women and men at university does not mean equal access to opportunity. One pressing area is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related skills and degrees. Over the next decade STEM-related jobs are projected to grow at over twice the rate of non-STEM jobs – they also tend to be more lucrative. Despite these benefits, women make up a third or less of students in Engineering and Technology and Sciences at Hong Kong’s UGC-funded universities. To build the pipeline of women choosing STEM degrees, change has to start in primary and secondary schools to inspire confidence and interest among girls. From our nearly decade of experience in running our Girls Go Tech Programme, this means equipping girls with the knowledge and skills they need, presenting diverse role models to challenge harmful stereotypes, and exposing girls to the wide range of exciting opportunities across STEM fields.

Beyond creating greater equal opportunity in the workplace, soft skills are essential to ensuring gender equality is embedded in our daily conversations and actions. Women and girls still face gender-based stereotypes and stigma that can limit their full participation in society. Part of tackling this issue includes comprehensive and evidence-based sex education in schools, which lead to positive health outcomes with lifelong impact.

Given our research found that the majority of young men hold conservative views and stereotypes around gender relations, it’s also important education includes engaging boys and young men in realising the harms of gender inequality, learning how gender equality benefits them and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be allies. That is why we run our Young Allies Programme to create a group of young men who champion gender equality as future inclusive leaders. We hope their influence extends into other areas of society and inspires schools, parents and others to consider ways in which to work with boys and young men on this critical topic.

This is why TWF is thrilled to be including a session on education in our upcoming cross sector Gender Equality Summit on September 13, with expert speakers (including one of our Young Allies) covering racial inclusion, comprehensive sex education and age positivity all with a gender lens. We hope you join us – reserve your seat here.

Here are resources for individuals to learn more about gender equality and inclusivity in education:

• Strategies to encourage girls to pursue interests in STEM
• Resources to better understand the benefits of comprehensive sex education
• Tips for parents on raising sons with healthy, positive ideas of masculinity

Get in touch at Fiona.Nott@twfhk.org.