My Journey

Learning has always been central to my life, and I always strive for learning opportunities.

During my postgraduate studies, I researched a wide range of policy issues, including women employment, domestic violence, ‘Psychology of gender and Mathematics’, ‘The attitude of architecture graduates towards the security needs of female users’, ‘Adverse effects of long working hours on Economic, Social and Cultural rights of Hong Kong people and their implications’ and ‘How to better promote family-friendly policies in Hong Kong’.

Justice and equality are the crucial values of a civil society, and it is the responsibility of every citizen to uphold them. A few years ago, I was the subject of sex discrimination when my employer – a secondary school – prohibited female teachers from wearing trousers at work. In spite of all the difficulties and obstacles, I was determined to fight against unfair treatment and make a change. After three years of complaint and prosecution procedures, the case was eventually settled before trial by the court. This case yielded a positive change in dress code policy at the school and was the first legal challenge ever against sex discrimination related to work attire in the history of Hong Kong.

After the case, I in cooperation with The Association for the Advancement of Feminism and Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union organized a seminar entitled ‘Gender Equality in Schools – the dress code case of female teacher’ to promote the importance of gender sensitivity in the school environment and I was the chief organizer and one of the speakers of it. Meanwhile, I participated in the drafting of the anti-sexual harassment policy in the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union. As a participant of the gender steering group of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, I was involved in its campaign to urge the government to review its policies on gender mainstreaming, sexual harassment, sex discrimination, female toilet facilities and the participation rate of females in Advisory and Statutory bodies. In 2014, I received the “She Dares to Change” Award from HER Fund in recognition of my dedication to social justice and gender equality.

This invaluable experience reminded me of the significance of establishing and implementing equal opportunity policy, anti-discrimination law and rule of law which complement each other to uphold social justice.