Gender Equality Through an Academic Lens

For Lauren Chan, a Year 2 student studying Bachelor of Arts and Sciences at HKU, being selected as a presenter at the parallel event of the United Nation’s 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women was a remarkable opportunity. It allowed her to pursue subject matters in which she is deeply passionate: female empowerment and gender equality. “In secondary school, we weren’t given that much of a stage or space to share our thoughts on this global topic, but this event has allowed us to step up, take the stage, and share our insights from a youth perspective representing our city,” says Lauren. 

At the UNCSW68 parallel session hosted by Hong Kong Federation of Women and held in Hong Kong in March 2024, Lauren and her team represented the topic of digital and financial literacy for women. She says, “Hong Kong’s FinTech industry has been growing rapidly. Between 2014 and 2018, the establishment of fintech companies had been an average growth of 39% annually. This shows the capacity for job opportunities, but also indicates there are certain skills needed to enter this job market. 

“Unfortunately, a segment of Hong Kong’s population, particularly women, such as single mothers and those from older generations, may not have the education level and skills required to perform these highly demanding jobs. This can further exacerbate the gender pay gap, so our group explored the importance of digital and financial literacy, such as offering training and resources to help this demographic expand their knowledge and remain competitive in the job market.” 

Lauren feels grateful for being part of this eye-opening event where women leaders and like-minded peers, connected by their shared passion for gender equality and social advocacy, can all come together.  

Growing up, Lauren has always been attracted to social issues around women. She recalls how her interest really spiked during high school when she was first exposed to literature and art, citing Scottish poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy’s poems on oppression and gender as something that really prompted her to further her academic pursuits in recognition that structural gender inequalities are very much embedded in our society.  

At HKU, Lauren feels lucky to have chosen Interdisciplinary Studies and Psychology as her two majors, where she is able to benefit from a highly flexible curriculum, enabling her to pilot her education and deep dive into global issues that are of interest. “I understand that Arts and Sciences can sound a bit contradictory or on different sides of the spectrum, but I do think they can complement one another,” she explains. “This allows me to have insights from different disciplines so I can examine global issues through an innovative and unique lens. Taking this conference as an example, my education at HKU has truly equipped me with the skill sets to carry out analyses through a broader, cross-discipline perspective.” 

After graduation from her current degree, Lauren is considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Higher Education or in Clinical or Social Psychology, but nothing is set in stone. “I also plan to first leverage my knowledge from my academic studies and connect it to social advocacy. Maybe I’ll create a path of my own that is not conventional and does not subscribe to a particular academic curriculum. I may conduct my own research.” 

Lauren believes that the university is great at introducing forums of discussion and women’s rights events and offering students the opportunity to attend and present at high-calibre events such as the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. But there is always room for more support systems and networks for women from different backgrounds. “It’s important to dismantle social stigma and gender prejudice on a societal level. This is how we can uplift each other. When we inspire each other, we can also empower each other.”