Driving Change from Within

Jeenat Walia was thrilled when she got a call saying she was picked to represent her university and Hong Kong at the United Nation’s 68th Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW68). As a fourth-year student at HKU studying for a double degree in English Education and Arts, she worked hard to get this unique chance. She went through a tough selection that included a video, written plans, and interviews. “It’s an incredible honour,” Jeenat said with a big smile. “I’ll never forget that day.” 

Every year in New York, the event convenes world leaders, students, teachers and business experts to discuss crucial issues on the promotion of women’s rights. They share experiences and discuss what their countries are doing to empower women and promote gender equality. Jeenat and her teammate Nicola prepared vigorously on the topics, with a focus on education and ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, but it was the opportunity to attend presentations by others that really opened their eyes to what’s happening around the world. 

“Something that really surprised me and challenged my own stereotypes that I wasn’t aware of was meeting the Consulate General of UAE in New York,” Jeenat describes her most memorable moment at the event. “My team and I were all really surprised by the fact that she’s a woman. We thought that in UAE culture, women aren’t viewed as someone who should be in leadership positions. She’s a real-life example of someone who has succeeded in erasing these stereotypes and reaching such a position of power where she’s able to motivate and empower young girls in the UAE through her work.”  

A key motivator for Jeenat to join this event is her own culture and experience growing up in an Indian household in Hong Kong. “My parents are really traditional. When I was younger, my mom said, ‘Oh Jeenat, you need to learn how to make some roti.’ When I asked why, she responded, ‘What are your in-laws going to say if you don’t know how to make food for their son?’ I remember thinking, why would I marry someone who isn’t mature enough to know how to make food for themselves?” When she prompted her mother with more questions, Jeenat’s mother explained that that’s what girls were expected to do, and so that’s what her future in-laws would also expect of her.  

Against her parents’ wishes, Jeenat took on many extra-curricular activities in primary and secondary school—some of which were sports that may be considered unladylike in her culture—just to prove to her parents that she could exceed their expectations and more. Slowly, her parents’ mindset started to change. “I realised that if I could change my parents’ mindset just a little bit, I can do so much for my peers and other girls growing up in similar communities, not just in Hong Kong but around the world.”  

Jeenat believes that her education at HKU has equipped her with skills and knowledge that helped her in supporting her cause, with the university offering ample opportunities for students to participate in meaningful events. Her professors and tutors were also very supportive while she was preparing for UNCSW68, which took away time from her studies. “They made me feel that if I’m to spend some time doing what matters a lot to me, it’s okay to take a break and focus on that instead.”  

From personal words of encouragement to being invited to share her experience at the conference with other students in class, Jeenat is grateful for the support offered by faculty members and staff at HKU. “I feel that everyone working at HKU wants to make a change by giving students like me the opportunity to pursue our dreams. HKU doesn’t just focus on our education and career paths, but also what we’re passionate about and gives us the opportunity to do something about it.”  

After graduation, Jeenat’s plan is to become a teacher and work on personal projects that empower women and girls in Hong Kong and countries like India, Nepal and Pakistan. “I started off thinking that I could only do certain things because of what my parents told me. But if I don’t believe I can do something, I won’t be able to tell my peers and students that they can do it too. These stereotypes can only be broken if I believe in myself.”