The Young Allies Programme aims to foster a cohort of young men who champion gender equality. The United Nations has emphasised that "the engagement of men and boys in achieving gender equality is critical," and TWF has recognised this focus through our Male Allies Initiative, launched in 2018. However, just as participation from senior male leaders is essential to achieving gender equality, so is the involvement of their more junior counterparts. Our research (here and here) suggests that young men hold concerning attitudes towards gender equality:

• Over 75% of young men hold conservative views on gender equality and negative perceptions of changing gender relations

• 43% believe gender equality is a women’s issue and men need to stay out of the way

• 30% believe gender equality puts men at a disadvantage

• 45% believe families may suffer with women less able to care for them

University-educated young men have not historically been the focus of gender equality interventions in Hong Kong. Due to traditional gender norms, they tend to be more supported in maximising their future opportunities. However, it is precisely because gender equality benefits men and is equally their responsibility to actualise, that young men must be engaged as allies for gender equality from an early stage. Simply put, the contribution of boys and men is essential to create a gender equal society.

We plan to engage this group in supporting women and people of all genders in ending gender-based violence and discrimination by providing gender awareness workshops and mentoring through a gender sensitive lens. By increasing young men's awareness of the impact of gender stereotypes and inequality in all aspects of their lives and exposing them to opportunities to cultivate gender equal mindsets and behaviours, the ultimate goal is to enable young men to become future leaders and champions of gender equality for all.

Programme Objectives

• Engage young men to examine the roles they play in the lives of women and girls, in their communities and cultures, in economic and political processes. Through this, young men identify how their roles are guided by highly gendered norms and expectations and how these gendered norms and expectations relate to and exert power and privilege.

• Expose young men to opportunities that increase gender awareness and inclusive leadership skills, and actively address gender inequality in society as well as in career and family aspirations through the guidance and support of male mentors who champion gender equality

• Build up a network of young male allies who become long-term advocates to support gender equality through their words and actions, ultimately becoming future inclusive leaders and champions of gender equality in their families, community and workplaces to drive social change.

Programme Participants

Primary Beneficiaries

Male university students who:

• study full-time

• wish to understand gender equality and gender-based stereotypes in their lives

• aspire to be future male allies and leaders who advocate for gender equality

Secondary Beneficiaries

Business leaders who have participated in TWF's Male Allies Initiative and who:

• leverage their influence to advance gender equality within their organisations and across the Hong Kong business community

• embrace the need for gender equality, improve their workplace as well as their own work and personal lives

• will develop and utilise skills to empower young men in exploring and deepening their understanding of gender equality

To hear about the impact of the Pilot on participants first-hand, please watch this video