International Women’s Day is a reminder that we should be proud of how far Hong Kong women and girls have come in advancing their ambitions and careers. Women are the majority of university graduates. We are launching businesses in record numbers. We are serving at the highest levels of government and business.
But this year’s official IWD theme — #pressforprogress — also rings very true in our city. Gender inequality permeates every stage of life, and has a particularly harsh effect on low-income women and girls:
• Girls face barriers even before they enter the workforce. The fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) remain stubbornly male. Although nearly 54% of students enrolled at Hong Kong universities are women, less than 25% of physics and ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) test takers in the local university entrance exams are female students.
• The glass ceiling prevents women from climbing the career ladder. Only 29% of management positions here are held by women, according to the 2018 Hays Asian Salary Guide — that’s lower than Singapore (31%), mainland China (37%), and Malaysia (38%). The share of female board directors is also dismal. Only 13.8% of directors on Hang Seng Index-listed boards are women, lagging behind other economies like the US (23.1%) and the UK (26.7%).
• Hong Kong’s working women bear the main responsibility of child care and elder care: it is the reason cited by one-third of women who quit the workforce. Meanwhile, the gender pay gap has widened to 22.2%, from 19.1% a decade ago.
• Women are at higher risks of poverty: two-thirds of workers earning less than HK$5,000 per month are women, while elderly women earn 35% less than their male counterparts. Approximately 85% of single parents who live below the poverty line are single mothers.
TWF is determined to break these barriers and close the gender gap once and for all. Our Girls Go Tech Programme helps young girls from under-privileged backgrounds pursue traditionally male dominated STEM subjects. Our Mentoring Programme prepares women to step into leadership positions. Our Financial Literacy and Employability Training Programme aims to empower grass-roots and marginalised women to enter the workforce. The 30% Club is pressing to increase the number of women on boards — with an ambitious interim goal of “20% by 2020”— to name just a few of TWF’s priorities and programmes!
As you all know, #pressforprogress comes on the heels of an unprecedented global movement for women’s rights led by courageous voices speaking out against sexual harassment and sexual assault. The #MeToo movement has fueled a rising determination for change that is sweeping through entertainment, business and politics around the world. The landscape of gender equality and what is accepted is being re-written as we speak.
Hong Kong is not immune to the problems of sexual harassment and the solutions are not easy — but they are grounded in our continued commitment to greater gender equality and in challenging gender stereotypes. We are determined to engage the community in discussions on models and solutions, kicking off with a panel on March 23 entitled “Hong Kong’s #MeToo: understanding the issues and taking action.”
