HK Government to Further Advance Women's Well-BeingThe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will continue to do its best to further advance women's well-being, an official said on Wednesday.Addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day International Conference on Globalization and Women's Health, Secretary for Health and Welfare E. K. Yeoh noted that following economic, social and technological developments in recent years, "people are now living more in a global context." Globalization, on the one hand, is beneficial as it allows everyone greater access to economic opportunities, but on the other hand, it may bring profound changes to work habits and lifestyle, upset the status quo and create uncertainties, Yeoh said. Turning to the issue of women's health, Yeoh said different organizations have repeatedly pointed out that in many places, women are less educated and of lower social status and form an overall disadvantaged group. But, in Hong Kong, "women enjoy essentially the same social status as men," Yeoh said. Health care professionals have always been gender neutral when managing and treating a disease or clinical condition, Yeoh said. The official, who lately assumed policy responsibility for women's well-being, promised that the government will not be complacent and will make further efforts to improve women's well-being. With the changing economic and social role of women in the community, many women nowadays face new health risks. Women's traditional life at home coupled with their functional life in office will add up to a whole day of consistent pressure on them, which will affect women's physical and mental well-being, Yeoh said. Many women nowadays are considered to be disadvantaged because they have incorporated a male standard for achievement in the work world with an old-fashioned female standard for perfection at home, Yeoh said. The pursuit of these dual standards has made women the slaves of their own success and working women must learn how to handle this dual role and the inherent stress, Yeoh said. |
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