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When she was just 15, Fung, who does not want to reveal her full name for fear of negative consequences, found herself having her first sexual encounter. It was neither planned nor reckless. Years later, she said she did not regret it, but she wished she had known more about her body, consent and the emotions she felt that night. “I don’t feel bad about my decision, but if I had known more about this behaviour, I wouldn’t have felt so confused,” Fung said. Fung’s story is not unique. As access to social media, pornographic content and online conversations about sex continue to rise, the city’s Gen Z population is learning about intimacy at a younger age in a world that they say is more confusing than ever. But they say sex education in public schools has not caught up. Fewer young people are having sex, according to the latest survey by the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong in 2021. But among those who are, the average age has dropped to 14. In 1997, the Education Bureau published guidelines for schools on sex education, but left it up to the schools to design their own programmes. By following those guidelines, schools focused more on values and attitudes towards sexuality, while providing less information about practical knowledge, such as condom use and how to prevent HIV. Sex education in formal lessons often emphasises the physiological aspects, such as reproduction mechanics, which may overlook psychological and social topics, such as sexual consent and gender equality, according to a 2022 study by the Equal Opportunities Commission, a semi-governmental agency concerned with public social issues. “When condoms or the process of sexual intercourse were mentioned in class, the teacher just briefly glossed over them and moved on. I didn’t get any practical knowledge …

The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had their first evidential hearing this morning at City Gallery in Central.  The committee's lead barrister Victor Dawes said the fire was a consequence of multiple overlapping human errors. “All fire safety measures were unavailable at the day of the fire, due to human wrongdoings,” Dawes said.  Fire footage from the residents, passersby and media outlets were displayed at the hearing. Dawes said multiple CCTV footage from the buildings and the constructor indicate that cigarette butts are the fire’s main cause — engulfing the substandard combustible nets and bamboo scaffolding within 15 minutes. Evidence also showed failures in the fire alarms system, which affected the residents’ escape. Smoke was able to enter the buildings more easily since windows at the stairwells were replaced by wooden boards, for the convenience of construction workers. CCTV footage also showed residents were unable to put out the fire, as the hoses were not connected to any water tanks. Some audience cried during the hearing. Former Wang Tai House resident, 69-year-old Law, who lost a relative from the fire, said he wants the hearings to reconstruct what happened. “I think the government has to take responsibility. There are strict rules, but they were not executed with caution,” he said. Seven more hearings will be held on Mar. 20, 24, 26, 30, 31 and Apr. 1, 2. The hearing for the deadly fire on Nov. 26 — which took 168 lives — requires a pre-registration. Prioritised quotas are given to Wang Fuk Court residents, while members of the public and media are also welcomed. Registrations are now closed.