Breaking the Silence: Addressing Female Workplace Anxiety in Hong Kong
- By: CAO JiawenEdited by: Lisheng CHENG
- 2024-12-14
After graduating with a degree in accounting, Rain Jiang, 23, got her first job as a tax clerk in a financial firm in Hong Kong. But as the only woman in her department, she said she's often made to feel inferior.
Jiang said as a new female employee, the biggest pressure comes from the female discrimination of her leadership and colleagues.
“The audit and tax work is complicated and cumbersome, and there are few women in this position before me,” she said, “and they don’t think I’m qualified for this job
Gender discrimination remains a pervasive problem in Hong Kong's workplace culture, contributing to heightened stress and mental health challenges among women.

According to the Hong Kong Federation of Women’s Centers, the proportion of women in middle and senior management is about 22%, while the number of employed men earning more than HK$20,000 per month is as high as 60% compared to that of women.
The Census and Statistics Department shows that in occupations of the same rank, the median income of males was $50,000, and that of females was $45,000, a difference of $5,000.
“Addressing these disparities is crucial not only for achieving gender equity but also for fostering a healthier, more productive workforce,” said Chan Man Ki, a solicitor and politician in Hong Kong. “Society often focuses on the value of women as a workforce, but neglects a society that allows women to be well-rounded.”
“The core of respect for women is to respect the individual's will. Society should eliminate all discrimination and shackles, and should not attach all kinds of stereotypes to women.” Chan added.
Mental health is also a challenge for working women. Local research estimates that more than 55,000 residents will suffer from depression annually costing the city HK$2.51 billion a year. Most of these are women.
“Women generally have more depression which is about twice as much as men,” said Shirley Li, an assistant professor at Hong Kong University’s Department of Medicine, who led the study.
“The incidence of depression in Hong Kong is increasing year by year, and the trend is more pronounced among young people,” Li said, “ Because the socioeconomic status of women is not as high as that of men, their health expectancy of seeking medical treatment and self-application is lower than that of men.”
She said the impact of workplace stress, societal expectations, and gender biases take a toll on women’s emotional well-being.
“I sometimes suffer from insomnia, and I have tried yoga and meditation to relieve my stress, but nothing can fundamentally solve the problem,” said Nancy Zheng, 48, Human Resources Director.

The mental health crisis has far-reaching implications. “Women's rates of depression, suicide, and mortality all peak in their 40s and 50s,” she said. “Usually this age faces the dual pressure of career development and family burden. Learn to communicate with family and friends to relieve stress and lower expectations and standards for themselves.”
Li suggested that women should pay more attention to their physical and mental health, keep an open and inclusive mind, and not be too strict with themselves.
Leung Chung Ming, the chairman of Hong Kong Psychological Society Clinical Psychology Section said Raising women's self-awareness and public awareness is very important to alleviate women's anxiety.
“Women should learn to maintain a clear boundary between work and life and avoid exhaustion and anxiety caused by overwork,” Leung said. “Regular practice of relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing, can be effective in reducing anxiety.”
Leung suggested that the company should be more inclusive of women. “Companies should provide support, such as counseling and stress management training, to help employees cope with workplace and family stress,” she said.
One good example is Meiriki Japan, the company has adopted a “no overtime” policy and hires part-time staff during peak seasons to ensure that employees have time with their families and friends over its 20-year history. It also provides childcare services for employees' children, and colleagues are responsible for taking care of their children and teaching them their homework.
“We need to encourage women to speak up, but also educate male colleagues to understand and support the challenges women face in the workplace,” Leung added.
According to the press release of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the government has increased the annual allocation of the Women's Self-Reliance Fund from $10 million to $20 million to subsidize women's groups and relevant non-governmental organizations to launch appropriate projects in support of women from 2023.
According to the 2024 policy address, John Lee said Hong Kong will establish a network run by leading women from all walks of life and launch a mentorship programme "She Inspires". Under the programme, female university students will be paired with mentors from the senior management of different sectors.
Rain Jiang said she was glad the government was taking notice and supporting women's development and growth.
“I hope there will be more female executives at the decision-making level in the feature, especially those who really understand women,” Jiang said.“Breaking the silence on female workplace anxiety is just the first step. It’s time for individuals, organizations, and governments to create a workplace where women don’t just survive but thrive.”
《The Young Reporter》
The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

Feed Your Brain: What You Eat Affects Your Mind

Canto slang connects Gen Zers in Hong Kong
Comments