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Women's
organizations
Awareness of women’s
issues remains low in Hong Kong
Members of Hong Kong Women Development protest on social issues. (Courtesy of Hong Kong Women Development Association)
By Alison So
In 1985, a group of pioneers from district women’s associations commenced irregular meetings to promote support for women.
Showing a long-term commitment to women’s development, local women’s leaders founded the Hong Kong Women Development Association in 1996.
In 2000, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department recognized the association as an approved charitable institution.
The association has 15 organizational members and 30,000 individual members. It has two service centers, in Tsing Yi and Sheung Shui. The service centers provide programs that assist women to reach their potential.
The association promotes women’s well-being and the cause of equality.
Organizations for women are not a new phenomenon.
In the 1980s, local women’s rights leaders requested the government to set up a Women’s Commission to address matters that concerned women.
However, the government considered the request as redundant and a waste of resources. The reason was that social welfare services for women and families were available.
In 1995, the Fourth World United Nations Conference on Women was held in Beijing. At the conference, the Hong Kong government agreed to adopt the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Under political pressure from the Hong Kong Women Development Association and other interested parties, the government finally established the Women’s Commission in 2001. It is a central body to oversee women’s needs.
Yip Shun Hing, president of the association, said that it is important to build up the self-image of women.
She said that the association encourages women to take part in politics.
Ms. Yip said that eight of their members joined rural committees and another nine of them became members of district councils.
It is encouraging that these members can speak their opinions and advise government policymakers on women’s issues.
To strengthen the self-esteem of women, the association holds a Red Cotton Tree Awards Program every year.
It aims at encouraging women to lead meaningful lives.
The association rewards women’s outstanding performance in social services, and women who have struggled successfully against adversity.
Ms. Yip said,“The red cotton tree struggles against the wild winter and then comes into blossom.
“The metaphor is that women can overcome difficulties and strive for the best.”
Although the association tries hard to support women, Ms. Yip said that the awareness of women’s issues is low in Hong Kong.
Emily Lau Wai Hing is a member of the Legislative Council.
She explained that the low awareness is the result of a lack of resources allocated to outreach programs.
“Traditional values of women also predispose women to pay less attention to their rights,” Ms. Lau said.
Besides, Ms. Yip said that it is important to increase levels of education among women in the lower income groups.
Wong Mo Tai, vice-president of the association, said that women could contribute to family and society after receiving more education.
According to a survey conducted by the association in 2001, 62.2 percent of women desire to receive continuing education.
Lee Kwai Chun, vice-president of the association, said, “Housewives hope to learn, but they cannot afford the time and money.”
Therefore, the association collaborates with the City University of Hong Kong to offer continual education for women.
They aim to raise standards in the education of women.
Women can take courses at the nearest Hong Kong Women Development Association’s chapter instead of the City University. This saves time.
Ms. Yip said that women aged from 35 to 45 who are not educated or economically independent are more in need of help from the association.
She said that women suffer more than men in the economic recession. They suffer from unemployment. At the same time, they are responsible for taking care of their families.
Rita Fan Hsu Lai Tai, president of the Legislative Council, said that working mothers and housewives in lower income groups are the most vulnerable during economic recession.
She added, “Working mothers bear the burdens of both family and the workplace.
“They suffer greater pressure than anyone.”
Ms. Yip said that it is important for women to keep a balance between work and family.
They have to strengthen their self-image.
“The association starts with interesting courses and activities such as health talks or cooking courses.
“Housewives join the activities in their leisure time. This can help them to be involved in society.
“Later on, we offer training courses to help them take on greater social responsibilities,” Ms. Yip said.
However, in holding the activities, Ms. Yip said, they face a lack of resources.
The association does not receive financial aid from the government.
They are unable to promote women’s issues and their activities to the public.
“We will fight for more financial aid so that we may organize activities and do more research studies,” Ms. Yip said.
Besides, she said that it would be encouraging if they could provide subsidies for women joining the courses.
But Mrs. Fan disagrees.
She said that the authorities normally subsidize well-established, non-governmental organizations.
The Hong Kong Women Development Association might not be experienced in writing good proposals, which may detract authorities from considering its case.
Therefore, it might be difficult for the authorities to subsidize the association.
Instead, Mrs. Fan suggested that women should help themselves.
Some organizations such as the Zonta Club of Hong Kong would like to assist the association. It can offer professional advice as well as other resources.
“If the association forms a link with the Zonta Club, they can achieve their aims to develop women’s potential,” Mrs. Fan added.
Political change for women in government
By Alison So
During the United Nations Committee meeting in 1995, the Hong Kong government agreed to adopt the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It was extended to Hong Kong in October 1996.
According to Article 18 of the convention, the Hong Kong government has to submit a report on women’s issues to the United Nations.
In 2000, the government set up the Women’s Commission to promote the well-being and interests of women.
The commission needs to maintain a close link with local women’s groups. This was the first step the government took to establish a central mechanism to address women’s matters.
The government tried to improve the position of women politically. According to a law in Norway, the composition of all government’s committees has to be at least 40 percent of each sex. Following suit, the Hong Kong government amended local law to require at least 25 percent for each sex in all governmental committees.
Legislative Council member Emily Lau Wai Hing affirmed that the government is making positive strides in the direction of women’s issues.