ASIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS'
ASSOCIATION HONG KONG
(AMSAHK)
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV&AIDS (SCORA)
OUR VISION
SCORA’s vision is to contribute towards a society where harmony in the diversity of individuals coming from various backgrounds in terms of sexuality, gender identity and sexual and reproductive health and rights is encouraged equally and without discrimination.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to encourage members of society, particularly young adults, to broaden their knowledge and skills in sexual and reproductive health and rights. We strive to provide members with the tools for advocacy within the local community in a respectful manner, free from prejudice. We wish to increase the exposure of typically taboo topics, and for medical students, to raise awareness on how an individual’s sexual and reproductive health identity has links to their healthcare barriers and needs. Our goal is to fulfil SCORA’s vision through active workshops, campaigns and collaborations with other standing committees of AMSAHK as well as local external organisations.
Projects
Sagami Workshop
The workshop was held twice, first at HKU on 8/11/2022, then at CUHK on 4/4/2023. Participants consisted of medical students from Hong Kong. We collaborated with Sagami Hong Kong, a condom manufacturer.
Before the workshop, we asked participants to fill in a pre-evaluation form to gauge their knowledge on condoms and STDs. During the workshop, instructors from Sagami Hong Kong first delivered a brief talk, debunking common myths about condom usage students may have about the size, usage and storage of condoms. Then, they educated students about the importance of condoms in preventing unwanted pregnancies and STDs. After that, participants were taught how to make their own latex condom using a technique developed 100 years ago, by dipping a mould in latex then drying it. Students had to be careful during the drying process, rotating the moulds around a heater and ensuring the latex did not touch the heater and break.
Participants were also taught the differences between latex and polyurethane condoms, as well as silicon and water-based lubricants. Instructors taught students how to assess the quality of condoms using the stretching-and-rubbing technique. Our team and instructors regularly asked students if they had any questions, with a designated Q&A session at the end of the workshop. Participants were asked to fill out a post-evaluation feedback form to see if they were more confident about their knowledge of condoms and STDs after completing the workshop.
Angels of the Asia-Pacific
The workshop was held in collaboration with five Asia-Pacific region NMOs, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia. The aim of the workshop was to allow more people to understand the SRHR issues specific to each country in the Asia-Pacific.
The workshop was split into two main sessions, with a breakout session in between each one. In the first session, Australia presented on sexual health in rural areas and indigenous populations, India presented on maternity care practices and policies, and Indonesia discussed how the
lack of CSE drives child marriage. In the next session, Kazakhstan shed light on discrimination against women and local practices and traditions that perpetuate this. We then discussed Hong Kong's local population's perception of the LGBTQIA+ community, LGBT discrimination, rights and laws, and same-sex marriage in Hong Kong. This was followed by Malaysia, where they also discussed LGBTIQ+ issues in addition to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. In between the main sessions, there were breakout room sessions where participants discussed reflective questions on each topic. We shared our views and brought up locally relevant information, which made for a fruitful discussion that allowed us to understand each topic on a deeper level. We ended the workshop by reflecting on which topic we thought required the most attention from our local community.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education
This workshop was held twice in 2 different international high schools, and included a total of about 80 secondary school students.
It was facilitated by both SCORA and SCOME members, with every class being hosted by 2 members to facilitate smaller class sizes with more interaction.
In the beginning of the workshop, we helped engage and ease the students into the activity through playing an ice breaking game with them that would have the dual purpose of understanding their current perspectives on LGBTQIA+ and sexuality as well as making them more comfortable in the new environment. Later on, we were able to introduce the concept of consent to participants through real-life
scenarios, including the impactful tea consent video. Utilizing innovative tools like Mentimeter word clouds, we provided a comprehensive overview of consent's multifaceted nature, igniting profound reflections on this critical topic.
We then introduced the students to the intricate world of gender identity, presenting a comprehensive understanding of various identities. Participants were enlightened on the significance of employing gender-inclusive language and dispelling harmful stereotypes, fostering an environment of respect and acceptance.
By engaging in a captivating mythbusting game, we dismantled common misconceptions surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering empathy and promoting allyship. Moreover, we thoughtfully addressed the pressing issue of mental health within the LGBTQIA+ community, inspiring profound discussions on supportive actions and empowerment.
Beach Clean-up + Social Media Campaign
Our beach clean-up activity is an excellent example of our hands-on approach towards solving sexual and reproductive health concerns. Armed with gloves and trash bags, our dedicated volunteers gathered along the shoreline, determined to make a positive impact. Through collective efforts, we revitalized the coastal habitat, removing harmful debris and fostering a cleaner ecosystem. This event not only showcased our dedication to social responsibility but also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment. Our choice of attire – pink clothing – demonstrates our organization's ongoing commitment to advocating for breast cancer patients and in making a difference in the world.
Meanwhile, the social media campaign was held all year round. With the aim of spreading awareness about sexual and reproductive health, SCORA aimed to post about a variety of different topics. For example, one of our posts details the issues surrounding women’s access to abortion in Hong Kong. It was not only informational, but also acted as
a call to action for institutional change. Another example would be SCORA’s post on asexuality, which explored the intersection between sexual orientation and mental health. More information can be found directly on SCORA’s Instagram page.