Perceptions of Gender Inequality at Work in Hong Kong

Abstract

Gender inequality in employment is a complex phenomenon that consists of both objective and subjective dimensions. The latter has been overlooked in previous research. This study examines the subjective perceptions of gender inequality at work of Hong Kong people. It analyses a data set collected from a large-scale territory-wide survey of 2,020 respondents. First, it was found that there are significant gender differences in what constitutes gender inequality as well as the perceived prevalence of gender inequality in Hong Kong. In addition to gender, respondents' age, marital status, and education are found to affect their sensitivity to gender inequality. Results of two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) also show a significant interaction effect of gender and employment status. More research is called for to advance our understanding of subjective perceptions of gender inequality in the workplace, particularly in the Asian context.