簡介
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
最新
Wong Shek Hung, Director of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Programme, Oxfam Hong Kong
It is the eighteenth year I have been working at Oxfam Hong Kong. I have dedicated my passion here because Oxfam is courageous enough to speak the truth and advocate for a just world that narrows the poverty gap. Each year, we launch our Hong Kong Poverty Report based on the data from the Census and Statistics Department, providing in-depth analysis of the poverty situation in Hong Kong to develop policy suggestions for alleviating poverty. Looking back, this marks the tenth year since we launched the poverty report. Unfortunately, I must say that this year's report reveals the largest income gap and the highest poverty rate to date.
According to our latest report, it found that the poorest decile earned 81.9 times less than the richest decile in the first quarter of 2024. Over 1.39 million people now live under the poverty line. Of this total, about one million individuals are poor non-economic active population, having left the labor market for different reasons. Even more alarming is the rise in poverty among our elderly; more than 580,000 individuals aged 65 or above were living in poverty, including approximately 260,000 singleton and doubleton elderly households.
Government has just released the Policy Address and I am glad to see that the Policy Address aligns with our calls to activate the non-economic poor population, including the elderly and women, to re-engage with the community with different forms of support. However, the establishment of a poverty line has not been addressed.
Since 2022, the government has stopped publishing poverty reports and associated poverty lines, adopting Targeted Poverty Alleviation instead. This strategy supports single-parent households, elderly households, and those in sub-divided units. However, it's crucial to retain a poverty line to analyze and monitor Hong Kong's overall poverty situation. This data enhances the design of effective poverty reduction policies tailored to different target groups. We understand the concerns in society regarding the accuracy of the poverty line, noting that it may overestimate poverty situation, as some individuals may own properties and other assets. In July of this year, we finished another research report regarding the poverty line and we suggest analysing households that include elderly individuals independently and converting the assets of these families into monthly income through annuitisation methods. We are open to discussing the measurement of the poverty line and hope the government will reconsider it, as it serves as crucial evidence for designing targeted poverty strategies.
The Policy Address proposed the set-up of a Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy. Oxfam expects that the Committee will design its policy suggestions focusing on 'enabling' and 'active ageing' strategies to address the issues arising from population ageing.
We previously suggested the Government create a database for singleton and doubleton elderly households by integrating data from different departments. We’re pleased that the Policy Address mentioned creating an interdisciplinary database for caregivers of the elderly and disabled. We hope this database's scope expands to include singleton and doubleton elderly households and is shared with social welfare agencies. This would help match appropriate social welfare support to these families.
Above all, early intervention and preventive measures are crucial for reducing health risks among the elderly. I welcome the government's proposal in the Policy Address to develop primary healthcare solutions. We further suggest that the government utilise telemedicine and technologies to provide suitable medical care. It should also promote elder-friendly exercises such as dance and stretching, combining programmes with online platforms to enable home training. The government could consider expanding medical vouchers to include online/offline health courses on exercise, allowing elderly to manage their health independently.
For those young old who are still willing to join labor market, we need an elderly-friendly environment. Hong Kong's poor elderly labor participation is only 3.8%, far lower than Mainland China (25%) and Norway (22.2%). The significant discrepancy is largely due to the intensity of pull factors in policy. We advocate the government should encourage employers to hire elderly through simplified application procedures of the Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged by directly providing subsidies based on the number of new elderly employees hired, as well as enhancing elderly’s willingness to work by lowering the threshold for elderly applicants in the Working Family Allowance Scheme. Even if they engage in part-time job, they could still enjoy full subsidies.
Population ageing doesn't have to lead to a social crisis. Long-term, by promoting Active Ageing and creating elder-friendly environments through technological and social innovations, society can address elderly needs. With government incentives to help re-engage motivated elderly in society and the job market, they can become valuable social capital. We all play a role in supporting each other. With vision and cooperation among public, private, and community stakeholders, Hong Kong can overcome challenges and build a more inclusive future.
This morning, I would like to dedicate a song “Imagine” by John Lennon to all of you and hope we will make a better world together.
重溫
Fiona Nott, CEO of The Women's Foundation
Dear Hong Kong Community,
When I spoke with you all two years ago, we were facing grim circumstances. COVID had caused separation and devastation, and it was unclear just how far its impact would extend and for how long. But now, thanks to the collective efforts and sustained hope of each and every one of you, we are looking out to new, brighter horizons.
Hong Kong aspires to take its place as a cultural powerhouse on a global stage – and there’s so much this city has to offer the rest of the world. However, before we can do so, we must address our rapidly ageing society and economic challenges fuelled by a persistent talent shortage. One way for us to meaningfully address some of these issues is through closing the gender gap.
The benefits of gender equality are clear and long established: Happier families. Better business outcomes. A more robust economy. These benefits help everyone, regardless of gender.
But our city is far from reaping the benefits of gender equality. Only 48% of women are in the workforce, this is lower than many of our neighbours including Singapore, Australia and Japan. Women are 10 times more likely than men to cite household responsibilities as a key reason for not being economic contributors. For every HK$10 earned by a man, women earn just HK$8.5. These are but a few of the numerous gender inequalities that continue to permeate areas such as safety, mental health, poverty, and career advancement, among others.
What is preventing us from closing the gender gap?
A key barrier to progress is zero sum thinking – where individuals believe that promoting the rights and opportunities of one gender will diminish and devalue another. A “you lose, I win” mindset.
We know the zero-sum mindset is prevalent in Hong Kong: 38% of men and 52% of women believe gender equality is a women’s issue and men need to stay out of the way, and 47% of men and 29% of women believe women benefit most from a gender equal society.
We need people of all genders to model inclusive mindsets, to ensure that the full constellation of diverse voices are heard and valued. To ensure there are equitable opportunities, policies, and distribution of resources.
And while government and businesses all play a part in making this happen, none of this change is possible without individual action and buy-in. So how can we each #InspireInclusion this IWD? Here are three ways to start:
1. Learn about the issues. Understand how gender inequality harms people of all genders and what forms this can take. Look at how this issue intersects with, and is complicated by, other identity factors such as race / ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, ability, religion, socio-economic background and more.
2. Talk about it. At work and at home talk about how the zero sum mindset might unintentionally show up. For instance, the misconception that if a male colleague advocates for gender equality at work it may negatively impact their own career or the misbelief that if a woman takes on more responsibilities at work, it will negatively impact the well-being of their family at home. Explore pushback or resistance to the idea that gender equality benefits everyone and share ideas on how best to tackle this.
3. Do the work and be an ally. Commit to listening, learning and acting. Use gender inclusive language. Refrain from phrases, jokes or cultural references that perpetuate stereotypes about any one gender. Actively intervene when you hear someone else perpetuating stereotypes. Help others see the benefits of gender equality.
These are just a few of the many, many actions each of us can take.
I know this is no easy task. Reflecting on our own internalised biases and assumptions and then taking action to address these areas is challenging, ever-evolving work at an individual, organisational and societal level.
As CEO of The Women's Foundation, I know an inclusive, gender equal city is possible. I have seen first-hand the exceptional results that follow when individuals and organisations put in the effort to understand how gender inequality harms people of all genders, determine where they might be perpetuating biases and take initiative to change.
Our Mentoring Programme and Male Allies communities are inclusively leading in their companies and in our community; our Young Allies are influencing the next generation of gender equality advocates; and our Girls Go Tech Programme participants are not just ensuring future STEM fields are more gender equal, they will be working to solve some of the most challenging issues of our time.
The work of each of us – as individuals, organisations, communities – matters. And when our efforts are combined, the results are transformational.
Join us to #InspireInclusion this International Women's Day and take steps for a gender equal future through your words and actions.
I'd like to dedicate this song to the women and girls of Hong Kong – and all gender equality advocates. The song is In debt by a local band Riddem.
