Puja Kapai Speaks at the UN Forum on Minority Issues

Puja Kapai joined a panel of experts on the issue of minority language education and its impact on equal access to education and the implementation of SDG4. The Forum was a two-day event held in Geneva at the United Nations on 28 and 29 November 2019. 

     As part of the proceedings chaired by Anastasia Crickley, former Chair of the UN Committee on the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Astrid Thors, former OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kapai presented on the issue of minority language learning and its impact and implications for women and girls in attaining equal access to quality education in diverse societies. Building on my work on equality issues in education and disparate impact of particular policies on minority groups, Kapai drew on research data to demonstrate the indispensability of an intersectional framework to understand the impact of language education policies on minority women and girls. Kapai highlighted how the use of this analytical framework in understanding and evaluating language policies in the education system brings into view the hidden barriers which disproportionately impact minority girls in terms of their access to education, their drop-out rates and their prospects for academic achievements on par with others. More information is available on the WSRC website. 

Puja Kapai Featured in Photography Exhibition on Ethnic Minority Women

CCPL Director, Puja Kapai is featured in Hong Kong Unison’s photography exhibition, "She says – Photographing Ethnic Minority Women". The exhibition, featuring 17 portraits and stories of women, sets out to break stereotypes and tell the life stories of these women.  What is uncovered is picture upon picture of courage, compassion, strength and grace. “Women are very strong by nature. A woman can handle many things and achieve many things,” said one of the women. The launch ceremony took place on 6 September 2015 and featured guests speakers Ms. Naveed Arjumand (President of Pakistan Women Association HK) and Ms. Dorothy Lee (Secretary General of Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs). The exhibition will run until 19 September 2015 at SoCO269 and has been covered in both English and Chinese press, including the South China Morning Post, Ming Pao Daily News and Sing Tao Daily.

Exhibition Info

Dates: 06/09/2015 – 19/09/2015

Time: Monday-Friday, 16:30-20:30 pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12:00-20:30 pm

Venue: SoCO269, 1/F, 269 Yu Chau St, Sham Shui Po, (3 min. walk from MTR Sham Shui Po ExitC2)

Admission: Free

Enquiry: 27893246

Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1464273487209190/

     Ms Kapai was also featured in the Personality Profile for the September-October issue of VIRSA The Culture Magazine, sharing her view on her advocacy work locally and before international treaty bodies on ethnic minorities and equality in education. VIRSA The Culture is a bimonthly publication that hopes to bring most up to date news to the ethnic minority community in Hong Kong. The magazine sometimes covers aspects on anti-discrimination law as promoted via the Equal Opportunities Commission through their magazine and though predominantly written for an English speaking audience, features contributions in ethnic minority languages such as Hindi and Punjabi. The magazine can be found at http://www.sumdigitalhk.com/#!magazine/galleryPage.

Puja Kapai Delivers Keynote Speeches at Youth Summit and Model UN Conference

Puja Kapai spoke on children's rights in her keynote address at the International Model United Nations Conference, St Paul's Coeducational College held on 1 July 2015.  The conference also focused on empowerment of women and the right to information (media freedom).  Other keynote speakers included Dr York Chow (Equal Opportunities Commission), Ms Anna Wu (Executive Council) and Mr George Chen (South China Morning Post).

Puja also delivered the keynote address at the Diversity Youth Summit organised by the United World College's Li Po Chun Ma On Shan School, held on 27 May 2015.  In her address, she spoke on minority rights and change through empowerment.  

     Puja Kapai is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, Director of the Centre for Comparative and Public Law and Director of the Social Justice Summer Internship.