Check item in ASP.Net CheckBoxList in VB.Net

Hi.

Currently both items will be checked.

What method i can use instead of IndexOf?

<asp:CheckBoxList ID="CBL_gender" runat="server">
    <asp:ListItem>women</asp:ListItem>
    <asp:ListItem>men</asp:ListItem>
</asp:CheckBoxList>

Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
    If Page.IsPostBack = False Then
    Dim gender As String = "women"
        For Each item As ListItem In Me.CBL_gender.Items
            If gender.ToString.IndexOf(item.Value) >= 0 Then
                    item.Selected = True
            End If
        Next
    End If
End Sub