Despite its modernity and development, Hong Kong continues to grapple with deep-rooted taboos and systemic inequalities. Issues such as sexual health, reproductive rights, and gender equality are often shrouded in shame and silence, leaving many marginalized groups without the necessary resources or support to navigate their challenges. The lack of comprehensive education, societal stigma, and limited access to essential services perpetuates cycles of vulnerability and disempowerment for countless young women.

Bowie Lam, founder of Teen’s Key, has devoted over a decade of her life to challenging these taboos and empowering young women to take control of their lives, bodies, and futures. Through her work, she is not only addressing immediate crises but also fostering resilience, confidence, and hope among some of society's most vulnerable groups. 

Bowie’s Beginnings: A Journey Rooted in Compassion
Bowie’s journey with Teen’s Key began 14 years ago after an internship at a sex worker advocacy group, where she witnessed first-hand the immense lack of holistic support for vulnerable young women in Hong Kong. During her tenure, a high-profile case rocked the city: a young woman working as a "part-time girlfriend" was brutally murdered, an event that cemented Bowie’s motivation to support marginalized youth. Rather than focusing on the tragedy itself or holding the perpetrator accountable, the public chose to blame the victim, labelling her greedy and reckless.

“I remember being so angry,” Bowie recalls. “Why do we always blame the victim instead of asking how we can help them?” This frustration fuelled her determination to create a safe space where young women could seek help without judgment. At just 20 years old, Bowie founded Teen’s Key with the goal of addressing the unique challenges faced by young women, particularly those involved in the sex industry or grappling with unintended pregnancies, sexual violence, and societal stigma.

Breaking the Silence: Navigating Taboos and Building Trust
One of the biggest challenges Bowie faced early on was working to overcome the deeply rooted societal stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health. Even today, comprehensive sex education remains largely absent in Hong Kong schools, leaving young people ill-equipped to deal with issues such as intimate relationships, consent, and contraception. When they encounter difficulties like unplanned pregnancies or abuse, they often feel too ashamed to ask for help.

Teen’s Key seeks to fill this gap by providing prevention programs, workshops, and crisis intervention services. Beyond providing practical solutions, their approach focuses on building a supportive community. For example, the organization hosts monthly dinners where young women can share their experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment. These events have grown significantly from just two or three attendees to over 20 each month, highlighting an urgent demand for such spaces. “For some young women, we don't need very complicated programs,” Bowie notes. “We only need a space where they feel safe to talk about their experiences.”

Holistic Support for Lasting Change
Teen’s Key functions on a three-stage model: crisis intervention, relationship building, and life skills development.

1. Crisis Intervention
Many young women who come to Teen’s Key are in crisis situations, including sexual violence and abuse, HIV diagnoses, financial instability, or unintended pregnancies. The outreach team mobilizes resources quickly, offering in-time support like medical assistance, resource referrals and counselling services.

Bowie recalls the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which hotline calls surged as young women struggling with issues made worse by isolation. Teen’s Key stepped up its efforts to ensure that no call went unanswered, providing every individual received personalized care.

2. Relationship Building
Trust is hard-won but essential. “The young women we are working with bear a lot of social stigmas…it's not easy to build trust with them,” Bowie explains. “Without trust, it's impossible to educate them or bring any influence to the community.” To build connections, Teen’s Key hosts interest classes and community events, which range from art workshops to hiking trips. 

One memorable moment for Bowie was when Teen’s Key organized a hike for a group of nightclub workers. “One girl told me how comforting it felt to stay under the sun,” she says. “It reminded me of how small joys can mean so much.” These activities foster camaraderie and trust, enabling the team to engage with young women on deeper levels.

3. Life Skills Program
For young women transitioning out of precarious environments, Teen’s Key offers training in soft skills, job readiness, and sexual health knowledge. Participants can practice teamwork, communication, and resume writing before taking up internships designed to reintegrate them into a normal working environment. “It's a long progress, from successfully engaging them in the community, providing in-time support for their crisis, and increasing their capacity for a new beginning,” Bowie explains. 

The organization’s holistic approach has culminated in transformative success stories like that of Katy, whose journey was highlighted in their latest annual report. Growing up in a family marked by conflict and mental health challenges, Katy found herself working in a nightclub while grappling with depression. Determined to break free from this cycle and build a brighter future, she joined Teen’s Key’s Internship Program, through which she gained invaluable job readiness skills and discovered a newfound confidence to pursue her dreams. 

Challenges and Resilience
Despite its successes, Teen’s Key operates within a challenging landscape. Misogyny and victim-blaming persist both online and offline, while funding and resources for marginalized groups remain limited. Teachers and parents are resistant toward discussions about sex education, dismissing it as unnecessary or overly progressive.

For Bowie and her team, staying motivated requires honesty and self-care. “To be honest, I can't stay motivated all the time,” she admits. “There are a lot of setbacks, ups and downs, and even frustration.” Regular supervision sessions with external counsellors allow staff to process their emotions and experiences, while initiatives like “well-being leave” and job flexibility provide much-needed breaks.

Looking Ahead
Bowie Lam’s journey with Teen’s Key is a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and collective action. Through her tireless efforts, she has illuminated the struggles faced by young women in Hong Kong, offering them a path toward empowerment, self-determination, and hope. What began as a small initiative driven by passion has grown into a lifeline for countless young women navigating crises, societal stigma, and systemic inequalities. 

Looking ahead, Bowie envisions expanding Teen’s Key’s impact to reach even more marginalized young women, particularly online. Recognizing the growing influence of online spaces on young people, the organization has launched a pilot program focused on digital literacy, which aims to equip young women tools to identify red flags in online interactions and foster safer digital environments.

Reflecting on the organization’s growth over the past 14 years, Bowie emphasizes the importance of staying true to its founding spirit. “Teen's Key is an organization started with a small team that cares about the most marginalized groups of young women,” she says. “We hope to keep this spirit alive and stay relevant to the community…so the in-need community can get more help and resources.”

To young women feeling stuck or hopeless, Bowie offers simple yet profound advice: “There is always hope. Think about what you want tomorrow, next week, next year. Good things will happen!” This unwavering optimism lies at the heart of Teen’s Key’s mission, reminding us that no matter how hopeless things may seem, there is always a way forward.