Most Hong Kong people believe women are independent and on par with men when it comes to power and the opportunities open to them - but the perception falls well short of reality.
A Women's Commission survey found that 87 per cent of females agreed that women were independent and autonomous. The study of 3,002 residents also found that 70 per cent believed men and women were equal in power and opportunities.
Commission chairwoman Sophia Kao Ching-chi said this did not reflect reality. 'Women's participation, particularly in the political arena, in decision-making levels, is still very much underrepresented,' she said. 'There is a danger people will be complacent, they will think we are doing fine.'
The Women's Commission survey also paints a sub-par picture of female civic participation. Nearly half of the women surveyed had not heard of government advisory or statutory bodies, paths Kao sees as key to promoting female involvement in public affairs.
'We need to do a lot more to educate the general public,' she said. 'They are not aware there are such bodies and are not aware of the avenue to take to become appointed to these bodies.'