Introduction

Research. Collaborate. Change. Our slogan sums it up. After researching initiatives around the world on behalf of women, The Women's Foundation is convinced that objective, systematic research is fundamental to making the case for social change. With research as a cornerstone, a diverse team of people committed to change can attract and maintain significant private funding, and serve as a catalyst for collaborative efforts in the community to plan and implement policies and programs to help women and girls become full participants in society.

To date, we have published two substantial pieces of research, both sponsored by Goldman Sachs:

‘The Status of Women and Girls in Hong Kong’ - March 2006: A review and synthesis of extant research in Hong Kong from 1999-2004 across 16 different areas examining the status of women and girls in power and decision-making; immigrants and migrant labour; marriage and family; girls and youth; senior women and women in mid-life; sexuality; minorities and special groups; education; health; social welfare and poverty; violence and domestic violence; crime and criminal justice; and work, incomes and unpaid work. To mark the publication of this report, The Women’s Foundation held a symposium and stakeholder forum attended by 149 participants from the broader community including leading representatives from local grassroot NGOs, international charities, thinktanks, business, academia, government and politics.

‘Closing the Gender Gap in Hong Kong’ - July 2008: Summary of a 18 month-long qualitative stakeholder engagement process comprising focus groups, individual interviews and public events focused on our three focus areas, with a view to better understanding the barriers faced by women and girls in Hong Kong with a special focus on root causes and possible long-term solutions.

Further research building on these efforts is being planned and we are looking to publish additional research in 2010.