New Season, New Intentions: Taking Collective Action for Gender Equality

We hope everyone had a chance to take a pause and re-charge over the past few weeks – using this time to centre intentions and strengthen resolve for the work ahead. 

There have been several key issues in Hong Kong that have significant implications for gender equality and the well-being of women and girls overall. Here are three we have been keeping an eye on: 

Measures needed to protect against technology-facilitated violence:

Last month's HKU incident - where a student used generative AI to create non-consensual pornographic imagery of his female classmates and teachers, has highlighted technology-facilitated violence against women. This case underscores the urgent need for cross-sector action to address harmful AI and deepfakes to curb sexist behaviour, abuse, and harassment in cyberspace. Critical steps include adopting the Hong Kong Law Reform Commission’s 2019 sexual violence law reforms to modernise Hong Kong’s sexual violence laws and and developing new measures for emerging technology-facilitated violence.  Private-public collaborations with tech firms can also help monitor and regulate harmful uses of new technology.

Same-sex partnership bill marks progress, but more needed:

Hong Kong's proposed bill granting same-sex couples limited rights—including hospital visitation and medical decision-making—follows the landmark 2023 court ruling. While this represents important progress toward inclusion, we believe all people, including those who identify as LGBT+, deserve full and equal participation in every aspect of Hong Kong society. We view this bill as a foundation for comprehensive reform, including marriage equality. Such developments are essential for Hong Kong to thrive as a truly global city and an international financial centre.

Caregivers are under stress and need more support:

A recent family tragedy has starkly highlighted the immense stress faced by caregivers, particularly women from low-income backgrounds with mental health challenges. A study from PolyU found that 42% of caregivers experienced mental health issues, with 50% of these respondents reporting depression and 25% reporting anxiety. With a rapidly ageing population, more must be done to prioritise support and well-being for caregivers, the majority of who are women -- through research and advocacy, this has long been a priority for TWF and continues to be an area of focus. 

The challenges facing women and girls are urgent and evolving. Collective action is needed if we want to see progress —from updating outdated laws to ensuring every person in Hong Kong can live with dignity and equality.  

At TWF, we work to engage companies, communities and individuals to come together for inclusive change – and we look forward to updating you all on the exciting new ways in which we are doing that in the months ahead. We are grateful to have you with us to empower our mission for a gender equal Hong Kong.