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E-news Issue 276

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Image: miniature figures of a woman and a man. Both have a ladder in front of them, but the woman's ladder has fewer rungs.

Reflections for International Women’s Day

With International Women’s Day (8 March) coming up, the time is apt for a reflection on the status of women in Hong Kong today. 

According to data released by the Census and Statistics Department in July 2021, women in employment continued to receive a lower median monthly income than men across all industries in 2020. The difference was particularly staggering in finance (a HK$10,000 gap) and insurance (HK$7,200).

One explanation could lie in the glass ceiling effect: an endemic, deep-rooted resistance to the efforts of women  to reach the top ranks of management. Often, this is based on the assumption that their contribution to the organisation would be hampered if they marry, have children, and take up care responsibilities – an assumption rarely applied to men.

At the EOC, while continuing to enforce our statutory powers to handle complaints about pregnancy and family status discrimination, we have recently stepped up our effort to tackle gender inequality in Hong Kong. We have made submissions to HKEx about fostering board diversity, published research on enhancing the representation of women in politics, and promoted law reform that provides breastfeeding women with increased protection. We are also amplifying the message of gender equality on social media by sharing empowering stories of changemakers on Instagram.

We invite you to learn more about these initiatives and join us in making gender equality a reality in Hong Kong.

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