A survey released by the University of Hong Kong on Monday found that Hong Kong people still have rigid gender stereotypes, although their awareness of gender equality is higher than the global average.

Researchers surveyed 1,287 adults over the past two months - and compared the results with 20 countries around the world.

Professor of Social Work and Social Administration Celia Chan told RTHK that there are still social norms that make people think men should be breadwinners while women should be homemakers.

She said gender education should be strengthened from an early age.

"We hope we can cultivate some gender equality or gender awareness from an early age and increase that kind of awareness for all the little kids in household division of labour," she said.

"So when they grow up, they know that even in the household, men can also be someone to be the caretaker and mother can also work outside."

She noted that 90 percent of respondents agreed that more respect for women's rights was needed.