Press Releases

Employment Situation of Women in Private and Non-Governmental Sectors in HK

A survey commissioned by the Women's Commission reveals that there is a phenomenon of job segregation between men and women in Hong Kong and that a relatively smaller proportion of women than men occupy senior or management positions.

The survey findings were today (November 18) released by the Women's Commission at the luncheon of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management annual conference.

The survey aimed at gaining a better understanding of the extent and the level of positions taken up by women in the private and non-governmental sectors in Hong Kong at the moment.

On the whole, the survey shows the working population in the private sector in Hong Kong maintains a balance in terms of gender participation. Forty-five per cent of the full-time paid employees working in the private and non-governmental sectors are women. But a certain difference exists between women and men in terms of the disciplines and industry sectors they engage in and the level of positions they take.

Over 70 per cent of "engineering / construction / research and development", "information technology/management information system" positions in the private and non-governmental sectors are taken up by men, while about 70 per cent of the accounting / finance positions are taken up by women.

The survey findings also reveal that women's participation in the field of "mining / electricity / gas", "construction" and "transport / storage / communication" sectors has been low, i.e. less than 30 per cent of employees working in these sectors are women. On the other hand, women's participation in the field of "education / medical / community / social services" has been high, representing 65 per cent of full-time employees working in the field.

"We note that the pattern of female workers' participation in different industry sectors and disciplines in Hong Kong is very much in line with other countries that we have examined," a spokesperson for the Women's Commission said.

"However, the phenomenon of much less women working in traditional "male industry sectors" demonstrates the fact that there are still biased gender perceptions that women or men should or should not work in particular industry sectors or certain disciplines."

The survey also finds that only about a quarter of the top or senior management positions are taken up by women.

Compared to more than 20 per cent of the male working population who are engaged at the top or senior management level, only nine per cent of the female working population are able to reach the top or senior level.

"We believe that a more enabling environment, such as a more family-friendly workplace, will facilitate women to participate more fully in the paid workforce and allow them to develop their full potentials," the spokesperson said.

The survey also shows that the majority (72 per cent) of private and non-governmental establishments have not adopted any gender-related practices. Amongst companies which have adopted any gender-related practices, "flexible working hours / practices" are the most common (23 per cent) practice adopted.

"The Women's Commission would like to call on private and non-governmental sectors to be more sensitive to gender needs and to consider adopting family-friendly work practices where possible," the spokesperson said.

The Women's Commission is considering possible further studies to know more precisely the underlying reasons and factors which have contributed to the phenomenon of gender job segregation and the relatively small proportion of women occupying senior or management positions.

"We intend to conduct similar surveys every three to five years to monitor changes and trends. The findings of the current survey serve as a benchmark against which future survey results may be compared," the spokesperson added.

The survey is the first commissioned by the Women's Commission on private and non-governmental sector establishments regarding the extent and level of positions taken up by women in Hong Kong.

AC Nielsen (China) Ltd. was commissioned to conduct the mailed questionnaire survey, which was carried out in mid-April to May 2002. A total of over 1,500 establishments have responded to the survey.

The executive summary of the survey findings can be downloaded from the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau website at http://www.hwfb.gov.hk.

Monday, November 18, 2002