The concept of state feminism and the case for Hong Kong

Comparative studies of anti-sex-discrimination law enforcement agencies and state feminism mechanisms tend to focus on western societies, with little mention of cases in Asia. Hong Kong is one of the few Asian regions that have anti-discrimination laws and a statutory Equal Opportunities Commission. This paper is an examination of Hong Kong's conditions for and level of state feminism. Through this case study, we hope to understand the extent to which western models of state feminism can be applied in Asian contexts. Our analyses indicate that while Hong Kong has half the antecedent conditions for an influential and enabling state feminist office, it is a low feminist state. In Hong Kong, where democracy is in its infancy, there are three particular elements that pose a major challenge to feminist agendas; namely, the governing elite, the business sector and the legislature. The three mutually reinforce each other in sustaining patriarchal patterns.