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She overcame sexual stereotyping and the stigma of a physical handicap to become an accomplished actress, yet Josephine Siao Fong-fong still lost a battle with discrimination.

 The 50-year-old revealed yesterday how she was forced to enrol for a post-graduate degree in the United States after local institutions refused to accept her because of her age.

 'As a Chinese woman and as a handicapped person I went through a lot of not-too-pleasant experiences, and if one can go to an organisation and seek help . . . it can change the [discriminatory] habits in our lives,' she said at the launch of an Equal Opportunities Commission docu-drama series to be screened next month on TVB Jade.

 'Hong Kong women are getting more recognition - at last. But it has taken 20 years, and I still feel discriminated against.

 'Two years ago when I wanted to go to graduate school I couldn't get in in Hong Kong, they wouldn't accept me because of my age. So now I'm enrolled in a United States school.'  She studies child psychology.

 The acclaimed actress who collected 11 awards in her career must wear a hearing aid. This year she was made an ambassador for the commission as it promotes its cause - and image - in the face of criticism by politicians and women's groups.

 Age discrimination is not covered by the commission and is discouraged only through education campaigns funded by the Education and Manpower Bureau. There is no law against the practice despite figures showing it is possibly the most common form of discrimination.

 Since it was founded in September 1996, the commission has received 228 complaints outside its jurisdiction. An estimated 40 per cent of those - about 90 cases - related to age.

 Only 179 complaints have been dealt with by the commission.



I beat bias against oldies, says Fong-fong