Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: for city’s sex workers, one group is aiming to provide support in safe, non-judgmental way
- Teen’s Key – Young Women Development Network wants to help women and young girls involved in prostitution to turn their lives around
- Group has been nominated for Spirit of Teamwork award which recognises those embracing their roles as socially responsible corporate citizens
The harsh reality facing female sex workers in Hong Kong, and the world over, is they are often marginalised by society even though most have been forced into their profession by economic circumstances beyond their control.
For women and young girls needing help, support can be hard to come by, but Teen’s Key – Young Women Development Network, is one group providing a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment for those who need it.
Bowie Lam Po-yee, founder and executive director of the non-profit organisation, said her team wanted to help sex-workers tackle their problems head-on.
According to the 34-year-old, most young girls who ended up in the business had often lacked family support and other means of living.
“Some are the children of people moving from the mainland to Hong Kong,” she said. “Though they have been living in the city for years, they still have difficulty adapting.”
For Lam and her teammates, their main focus is to offer these young women a way out.
