Social Welfare and Women
The Dominant Approach and the Feminist Critique
Kwong-leung Tang, Vivian Wei-qun Lou
215 x 140 mm , 42pp ISBN / ISSN : 9789624411690
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US$3.00
This paper discussed the development of social welfare policies and services for women in Hong Kong. Two dominant stands were identified: the need paradigm and the feminist critique. The plight of vulnerable groups of women such as single parents, victims of abuse, and new arrivals were discussed to illustrate how policy responses were developed and seen under the need paradigm and the feminist critique. It is concluded that the need paradigm adopted by the government has made some contributions to promoting the well-being of women and to meeting some of their immediate needs. However, there are still groups of women that continue to face special barriers to enhancing their well-being. There is still a long way to go before the government, NGOs, and women's groups can work together for a sustainable and just Hong Kong society.