Want to address gender inequality? Collective care is one way

Local headlines have recently been dominated by the discovery of a toddler that had likely been left alone for days following the death of her mother, a single parent. This incident highlights the vulnerability of single parent households and also sparked conversations on every day social relationships – with neighbours, security guards, school teachers– that can be strengthened so as to provide swifter preventative or interventive help in future situations.

To build those support structures, as a society, we need to examine how we view care. This past month, TWF has looked at challenges facing working caregivers from mothers to those caring for dependents with special needs or disabilities. To shift the perception of care work from being predominantly 'women’s work,' we can consider the idea of collective care—engaging in care beyond the family unit and connecting into broader systems of support both to give and receive care.

Collective care is not a new concept; it has roots in community-driven support systems throughout history, particularly for marginalised groups. It is also not a substitute for comprehensive laws and policies that address the diverse needs of various populations.  Instead, it offers a framework through which we as individuals can actively shape and reinforce our approaches to caring for our most vulnerable members. Research has noted that engaging in acts of care is helpful for maintaining the mental and physical well-being of the workforce, and society-at-large.

Hong Kong has many issues that require attention and care: widening wealth gap, elder loneliness, caregiver burden, workplace burnout, student suicide and decreasing levels of happiness overall. Many of these issues disproportionately or more intensely affect women and marginalised communities.

This is why our Mentoring Programme centres on inclusive leadership that extends beyond the workplace, encouraging participants to effect positive change in their communities—aiming to include and empower those with less access to opportunities and resources. This spirit of collective care also inspires the competition themes that we pose to our Girls Go Tech participants – building apps or pitching STEM projects that can address social issues. The concept underlies our Young Allies Programme as well, giving our Male Allies the opportunity to mentor university-age men, supporting them in becoming gender equality advocates, including taking on equal responsibilities at home and being active bystanders.

The experience of caring, and being cared for, is not just a personal matter; it is the glue that binds our communities together. By viewing care collectively, rather than as an individual or familial responsibilities, we can redistribute the burden of care—primarily borne by women—to each of us, allowing for a more equitable recognition of the importance of care in society. This orientation will also support a view of collective care in our homes.

Creating a gender equal Hong Kong must involve the reconsideration of care, moving it from the home and women’s work to wider society with shared responsibility among all.

Acts of collective care can take many different forms. Here are three ways to start:

• Learn which groups in Hong Kong are particularly vulnerable and engage with NGOs, associations or networks to understand what type of care and support are needed

• Build a stronger support system within your apartment building, neighbourhood or village, looking at meals, caregiving needs or neighbourhood watch programmes and foster inclusive social spaces that actively welcome diverse groups from the community

• Advocate for policies that promote collective care, such as gender neutral parental leave and family leave and accessible mental health services, to ensure a supportive environment for all