More sexism in Auckland homeschooling?

(Updated and moved to the front 28/4/2018)

This is the third time I've noticed it.  I hope it's a coincidence, and not a pattern.

In each instance, the style of sexism is similar -- that boys do "boy" things and girls do "girl" things, and it's inappropriate for boys to do "girl" things to the point where boys are actively excluded from these "girl" things.

I wrote about the first time here, regarding the role of dads in homeschooling.

I wrote about the second time here, regarding boys doing ballet.

This third time it's about boys doing sewing.  I'll explain.

Our local homeschool organisation (HASCA) helps organise various activities for homeschooled children.  One of the activities it organises is sewing classes.  Their ad is here.

On Thursday 19th, an email was sent around our homeschooling community advertising these sewing classes:

Title: Sewing Tuition for girls aged 9 to 13 years -

        BE QUICK! [HASCA member subsidy available]

Dear members,

I have only two spaces left now for the term 2 Sewing Class. If your daughter is between the ages of 9-13 and keen to participate, let me know asap! 

...Cost : $85.00 for HASCA members (HASCA subsidised fee), or $170.00 for non membersPlease let me know as soon as possible if you are keen or would like more details. 

I checked the website ad, and it similarly states:

The programme offers sewing tuition to home educated girls aged 9 to 13 years.

I replied to the ad to clarify things, getting an immediate response.  And indeed, yes, HASCA does subsidise a girls-only sewing class but does not subsidise, or for that matter even offer, any equivalent classes allowing boys.  In fact, the only class that HASCA subsidises is this girls-only one (via a donation from an external charity organisation).

The reasoning, I was told, was that HASCA is linked with a for-profit company (Sew Inspired) that runs these sewing classes.  The sewing teacher used to run classes that included both girls and boys, but recently has decided to change her lessons to make it only for girls, as she prefers it that way.

HASCA command recognises that this is not so good, and say they are working towards a solution.

Well, it seems to me that the obvious solution is that HASCA should not be subsidising and organising this girls-only class, when there's no reason for it being girls-only except that the teacher likes it that way.  HASCA should stop enabling and supporting such blatant sexual discrimination, and their only charity-funded subsidies should not go to a sexist class.

I said as much to HASCA command, and have received no reply back.

I also recommend that families who have signed up for sewing lessons at Sew Inspired stop until this problem is corrected.

UPDATED 28/4/2018:  Great news, and problem solved.  The class is now allowing boys.  Today, a new email ad was sent out to the local homeschooling community, and the HASCA website details the adjusted course.  HASCA command also emailed me personally with the news.  Thanks!