Have you ever experienced discrimination? Famous Canto-pop singer Gigi LEUNG Wing-kei recounts a recent experience. When the SARS outbreak plagued Hong Kong in late spring this year, Gigi was on an overseas assignment. She noticed that people looked at her in a strange way. "They were worried that I might have been infected and turned away. Some of them even avoided talking to me," Gigi recalled.

Understanding the harsh realities of discrimination and the importance of equal opportunities (EO) values in our society, Gigi immediately agreed to help raise awareness in Hong Kong. She is devoting time and effort to play the female lead in Hong Kong's first "EO Musical".

In an exclusive interview with EOC News, Gigi shares her thoughts on "the importance of equal opportunities" with our readers.

What does "equal opportunities (EO)" mean to you?

Equal opportunities means ensuring the basic rights for everyone - the right to receiving education, earning a living, making friends, enjoying different services and most importantly, leading an independent life. Even though many people view EO as a distant and abstract concept, in fact, discrimination happens on a daily basis. Take the news for instance, everyday there are stories of women workers receiving less pay, or persons with a disability being denied services.

Why are you willing to join us in promoting equal opportunities?

Because equal opportunities is something relevant and important to everyone. It encourages participation and acceptance, therefore enabling everyone to develop their potential to the full.

What was your reaction when you were approached to join the "EO Musical"?

I liked the idea very much. It's a new and interactive approach. Rather than just preaching, the message of underlining the values and benefits of EO is made very clear to the public in an attractive and interesting manner. I am really glad to be able to take part in the "EO Musical". To me, it is a meaningful project.

Do you think discrimination is a serious problem in Hong Kong?

My impression is that the problem of discrimination is not as serious as before. But there is still room for improvement. In fact I am glad to see that the film industry in Hong Kong is more focused on the ability to act, rather than the physical attributes of an actress. Actresses are no longer just beauty queens or sex symbols. We can see from recent film award presentations that the best actress awards went to those who gave superb performances.

As a youth idol, what advice would you offer to your fans?

Remember, we should not judge someone merely by his/her appearance. In today's materialistic world, we often measure the worth of a person by his/her possessions. It is too easy to judge a person from outward appearances, and as a result we neglect other qualities and abilities. The concept of equal opportunities reminds us to appreciate one's ability, not other irrelevant factors. We should keep an open mind to gain better insight.