Every day is a day nearer the goal of gender equality in Hong Kong’s corporate world
Diana Cesar says women’s progress towards parity in the workplace depends not just on business leaders’ practical support, but also consistent efforts from the women themselves
When it comes to gender parity, Hong Kong is one of the most equal societies in Asia. Yet, even here, the corporate world remains predominantly a man’s world.
Changing that – getting more women not only to stay in the workforce but also to advance all the way to the C-Suite – is not just fair; it also makes good economic sense. And it requires input from companies, society, and from women themselves.
While we need to be vocal and visible, we need to do so without being branded ‘difficult’. This is a tough balance for any manager – but it is especially difficult for women
Of course, we have made a lot of progress over the past few decades. The female proportion of Hong Kong’s labour force is far higher than it once was. Women are well represented in the civil service. They account for about half of university enrolments.
And yet, women hold just 11.1 per cent of directorships in Hong Kong’s top companies, according to a report by Community Business, a non-governmental organisation. Only 11 of the legislature’s 70 members are women. All the judges of the Court of Final Appeal are men. And median wages for women are significantly below those for men.
It is not easy to change long-held mindsets. Women in Hong Kong may have more opportunities than those in many other Asian economies, but they are still expected to balance their working life with looking after their family.
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