Inès Gafsi - CEO of Inspiring Girls Hong Kong

Good morning! Inspiring Girls Hong Kong, is the local chapter of an international charity. Founded in the UK in 2013, Inspiring Girls has grown to 40 chapters worldwide and will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.

 

Together with my cofounder Natasha King, we launched the Hong Kong chapter in 2020, on a mission to empower girls aged 14 to 16, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Our goal is to bridge gender and cultural gaps that can negatively impact a girl’s future and promote social mobility by breaking the chains of intergenerational poverty through creating opportunities to pursue sustainable work.

 

We believe in breaking down internal limitations by showcasing success stories from relatable role models. Our vision is to show girls the limitless possibilities in their future careers and encourage them to aim high because that is their right.

Inspiring Education: A diversity and inclusion workshop for co-ed schools helping both boys and girls understand how gender bias can limit their future. This program emphasizes that careers have no gender and encourages students to believe they can achieve anything.

We have three keys programs

Inspiring Girls: Builds self-confidence and resilience in girls, exposing them to various careers through corporate learning experiences. We organize company tours to help girls understand different industries and work environments, collaborating with HSBC Asset Management, Google, TransUnion, Shanghai Tang, and many more.

 

Inspiring Education: A diversity and inclusion workshop for co-ed schools helping both boys and girls understand how gender bias can limit their future. This program emphasizes that careers have no gender and encourages students to believe they can achieve anything.

 

EmpowerHer Future: An innovative career and financial literacy program powered by UBS and Operation Santa Claus, which reached 1,500 underprivileged schoolgirls last year. This program helps girls build self-confidence and a positive attitude towards money, navigating their career paths and financial choices knowledgeably.

Statistics reveal that 1 in 5 girls say stereotypes hold them back in school, and it is projected to take 131 years to close the gender gap. Additionally, 35% of girls experience a drop in confidence between the ages of 13 to 18. These numbers are startling and highlight the urgent need for initiatives like Inspiring Girls.

 

 

Moreover, Recent statistics reveal alarming mental health challenges among youth in Hong Kong. A 2023 study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong indicated that 24.4% of children and adolescents experienced at least one mental health issue in the past year, with 8% of secondary students contemplating suicide. The suicide rate for those aged 15-24 reached 12.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2022, nearly double from 6.2 in 2014.

 

 

 

Key stressors include academic pressure, financial concerns, challenges in building social networks, and learning environments. Studies reveal that many students experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy, which can hinder their confidence and aspirations for the future. Research indicates that character strengths, such as resilience and social intelligence, are crucial for coping with these challenges and achieving positive outcomes in education and career.

 

 

Statistical evidence underscores that mentorship can significantly boost confidence and career aspirations among young women. Thus, our future initiatives will concentrate on structured mentoring programs, workshops on resilience-building, and character development, ensuring that girls not only dream of success but also have the necessary support to realize their potential.

 

 

 

 

You can contribute to creating a more equitable future and ensure continued access to quality education for all girls in Hong Kong by:

 

Recruiting role models to volunteer with us.

 

- Offering a learning experience for the girls to come to your office and learn about your industry.

 

- Sponsoring a program as an organization.

 

- Giving a girl your time by speaking with her, inspiring her to dream big and aim high—

 

Join us in this mission to empower the next generation of female leaders in Hong Kong. Together, we can make a difference!