April to October 2024 “Talent has no Gender” – Educational Program on Gender Equality for Young People

“Everyone has their unique talent” is undoubtedly one of the profound truths. Would gender stereotypes be one of the obstacles when young people seek to discover their potential and wish to utilize their abilities?

With the support of the Equal Opportunities Commission’s Community Participation Funding Programme on Equal Opportunities, The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong launched the “Talent has no Gender” – Educational Program on Gender Equality for Young People from April to October 2024. Through a series of activities, including workshops, exhibitions, and Human Library, the program aimed to encourage young people to reflect on how gender stereotypes and preconceptions in society affect the development of personal potential, enhance their awareness of gender equality, and provide opportunities for young people to break through gender stereotypes and showcase their talents.

This program has arranged two handcraft workshops, two Human Library sessions combined with activity days, and one "Talent Beyond Gender" gender education exhibition. Through engaging activities, participants explored the relationship between gender, society and themselves, broadened their imagination for future development.

1. Talent Workshop: String Art — the instructor Minnie, a carpenter from Stone Shield Woodworking shared the challenges and opportunities she encountered while entering the woodworking industry and guided participants in experiencing the creation of woodworking string art.
2. Talent Workshop: Floral Art Creation — the Floral instructor Mode shared the challenges and opportunities he faced upon entering the floristry field, and together with participants, explored the characteristics of flowers and plants and experienced the joys of floral art.
3. Dream BIG! — “Talent has no Gender” Human Library & Activity Day — Session One featured Hong Kong female pilot Christina Ho, who shared her personal experiences during the event, encouraging everyone to dream big and go far. In the second human library session, “Dream Girls”, a group of young women who work in construction industry, shared their daily work and professional knowledge, and engaged with participants in discussions about gender in the Hong Kong construction industry.
4. Dream BIG! — "Talent has no Gender" Exhibition — A pop-up exhibition was set up at the FPAHK Activity & Resource Centre (ARC). Through interactive exhibits and sharing, visitors were encouraged to reflect on personal gender perceptions and expand their vision for future self-development.

This program has attracted over 1,100 participants. Participants expressed that the program was educational and effectively enhanced awareness of gender equality. They also hoped that our Association would have more activities with different gender education themes in the future.