在香港，作為低收入勞動的一群，往往都是在缺乏保障、工作不穩的情況下生活著。女工更會因為年紀大、有家庭而不獲受聘。就算是被聘的，也只是工時長、薪金低、勞動量大的工作。合作社是現時主流工作市場內的另類工作選擇。社員們不但不會因年齡及能力而被排拒在外，更能擁有共同決策權、學習權、公平分享和分配工作權。同時，社員們也必須要共同承擔工作，參與對外交流及反映對合作社條例意見的義務。婦女動力基金的資助團體之一「女工同心合作社」便於2001年3月，由香港婦女勞工協會協助下，由一班失業或待業女工組織成立。當時剛巧中文大學小賣店正招募新店主，在中大同學基層關注組的爭取下，成功把女工同心合作社帶入校園，成為首間在學院內營運的合作社。

史葛 - 社工系學生

     我本身是基層關注組的成員，在師兄姐介紹下認識了合作社。由於我很支持民主、平等、社員一人一票決策權的理念，所以幫助了合作社三年。現在我會負責特別更的工作，由晚上十一點半至零晨一點半；也會幫手做宣傳及與社員一起去開會。
 
    我覺得香港很少有此類型的經營模式，打工仔女一向都無發言權，所以我覺得社員們開會時多爭論是一件好事，能夠體現民主精神。
 
    最初參與時，社員們都只是想聽職員指揮，但現在她們都比以前主動，自決能力提昇了。她們也會參與很多社會行動，不是只顧自己的生意也關心其他的弱勢社群。希望中文大學能批出更多地方，而稅務上也能有多點寬免，讓合作社做得更好。
　

阿蔥 - 合作社女工

     以前後生時都有工作，但女兒出世後，跟丈夫商量後便辭工，專心在家照顧小朋友。到個女大個之後，便發現老公有外遇。那我便一定要出去找工作賺錢，點知處處也請後生的，我年紀大，有歧視。之後去了聽合作社的工作坊，認識了合作社的理念，覺得好值得支持，那便加入其中。
 
     因為個女都大了，不用照顧，所以我返早、晚更都無所謂。也因為自己的經歷，覺得女人要讀多些書，要自己賺錢，如果將來老公、仔女不養自己，那怎麼辦呢？﹗合作社也非常適合婦女，所以我有機會便去跟政府官員傾，又會多出席合作社聯席，希望把合作社做得更好。

阿峰 - 法律系學生

     我經常出入小賣店，覺得女工們都很好傾，之後便熟絡起來。她們都好好人，去超市買東西，不夠錢人家不會理你，但在這裡，告訴她們你不夠錢在身，她們會叫你第二天才付也可，十分有人情味。
 
     初初我也不認識什麼是合作社，做中大學生報以後，便認識更多合作社的理念。香港眾多合作社中，也覺得這個合作社資源比較好，也最接近合作社模式的運作。點解會來幫手？因為看到這班女人幾十歲，日日企足八小時，好辛苦的，但又感覺到她們很開心。她們十分樂於去服務同學，所以被她們感動了。現在除了幫手做特更外，也會幫手做佈置及文書工作。你在店中看到的揮春就是我做的了。
　

直到現在，香港內的合作社仍未能醫百病，但卻令要照顧家庭，又要賺取生活的婦女們，都能有尊嚴地工作，這亦是開拓基層婦女的就業空間。同時，合作社有著平等、互助的原則運作，也不會因為你的年齡或性別而不聘用。當社會企業大行其道之時，社會上開始把社會企業與合作社模式作比較。過往也沒有試過好好的把合作社的經驗作整理，故此婦女動力基金便支持了女工同心合作社，出版書籍作記錄及推廣合作社的經營模式，並探索女性在合作社運動中的角色。

因應著工業化的誕生，有更多女性到工廠工作，但卻面對嚴重的剝削，國際婦女節便因而蘊釀出來。

1909年3月8日，美國芝加哥女工及全國紡織及服務業工人發起全國大型示威及罷工行動，獲全球婦女支持。她們要求增加薪酬、8小時工作及婦女投票權。及後於1910年，於丹麥的國際婦女大會上，確定每年3月8日為國際婦女勞動節。這樣的一個國際性節日，代表著婦女在社會中應有的人權和尊嚴。

In Hong Kong, living as a low-income worker is difficult; a lack of job security and job protection are a few of many problems these workers routinely face. This is especially true for female workers, who are often not being employed due to their age or family responsibilities. Even if they are employed, their jobs often have long hours, low wages and are labour-intensive. Cooperatives (Co-Ops) offer workers an alternative in the modern mainstream job market. Members are not only free from discrimination due to age or ability; they are also entitled to equal rights in group decision-making, opportunities to learn, sharing of gains and work allocation. At the same time,

members have the responsibility to share work commitments, and to exchange and reflect their opinions in making decisions on Co-Op operations. One of HER Fund's grantees, the Women's Workers Cooperative, was established in March 2001 with the help of the Hong Kong Woman Workers' Association (HKWWA), by a group of unemployed women. At that time, the convenience store at the Chinese University was recruiting a new tenant. With the support of the Students' Group in the university, the Women's Workers Cooperative successfully got the tenancy and became the first cooperative to operate the convenient store on campus.

     As we are approaching March 8 International Women's Day, we interviewed members of the Women's Workers Cooperative to see how these female workers and students work together to create a working environment full of respect and with a strong emphasis on mutual participation.

Wei Yi – Co-Op Member

Scott – Social Work Student in Chinese University

     I am a member of the Student Group for Grass-roots Concern; I learned of the Co-Op through my seniors in school. Because I strongly support democracy, equality and equal voting rights for Co-Op members, I've helped as volunteers at the Co-Op for three years. Now, I am in charge of work during the special shift from 11:30 P.M. to 1:30 A.M. I also help with promotional work and attend meetings together with Co-op members.
 
    I feel that Hong Kong has very few work models like this and that employees usually don't have any say. That's why I think the difference in opinions that happen during meetings with members are a good thing because they promote a spirit of democracy.
 
    When I first started to participate, the members only wanted to listen to instructions from organizers. Now they are more proactive than before and thus their decision-making ability has improved. They also participate in social campaigns; they care not only for their business but also for other underprivileged groups. I hope the Chinese University can provide more space for the Co-Op and that there will be more tax concessions so the Co-op can work better.
　

Chung – Co-Op Member

     I used to work when I was young, but after the birth of my daughter, I decided to quit my job after discussed with my husband, in order to take care of my child. After my daughter grew up, I found out my husband involved in ex-marital affair behind me. As a result, I had to be independent and need to find a job. Unfortunately, I discovered that many employers only wanted to hire younger employees; as I am middle-aged, I was discriminated against. After I attended a workshop on co-ops and learned more about their principles, I supported the Co-Op and decided to join.
 
     Since my daughter was old enough to take care of herself, it didn't matter whether I took a day or night shift. From my own experience, I believe that women should have more opportunities for continuing education and be capable of earning a living. What if their husbands or children don’t take care of them in the future?! The Co-Op is very suitable for women, so when I have a chance, I will reflect our needs to the government and frequently attend Co-Op events to learn more and to do better.

Fung – Law Student

     I frequently visit the Co-Op and I think the female workers are really friendly. After awhile, we became acquainted with one another. They are very nice; if you don't have enough money with you when you go to the supermarket, nobody will help you, but here, they will let you pay later, which is very caring.
 
     At first, I knew nothing about co-ops, but after working at the students' newspaper of the Chinese University, I learned more about them. Amongst co-ops in Hong Kong, I think this one has relatively better resources and it operates

most like a co-op. Why do I come to help? Because I think it must be tough for these middle-aged women to stand and work eight hours a day, but I can also see that they are happy. They provide service to students cheerfully and I was moved by this enthusiasm. Now, besides helping out at the special shift, I also help with decorating and paperwork. The Chinese calligraphy decorations around the shop are done by me!
　

Up till now, co-ops in Hong Kong still face a lot of challenges, but it offers an alternative to women who need to take care of their families and make a living with a dignified job. This is also an empowering experience for grassroots women since co-ops operate under the principles of equality and cooperation, and will not discriminate based on age or gender. As social enterprises become more popular, society begins to compare social enterprises and co-ops. Documentation of experience in operating co-ops is very rare. Therefore, HER Fund supports the Women's Workers Cooperative to produce a book on the experience in running co-ops and to explore the role of women in co-ops movement.

　

During industrialization in 19th century, increasing numbers of women worked at factories but were facing severe exploitation. The struggle of women workers for decent working conditions marked the International Women's Day.

On March 8, 1909, female workers in Chicago and other workers in the textile and service industries from all across the United States instigated a national demonstration and strike, gaining support from women all over the world. They demanded higher salaries, 8-hour workdays and universal suffrage for women. During the International Women’s Conference held in Denmark in 1910, March 8 the conference unanimously approved to establish a Women’s Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women's rights and to assist the effort in achieving universal suffrage for women. This International Day marks the importance of women’s human rights and celebrates the courage of those who are in the movement.

我們在日常生活中，總會把性(Sex)與性別(Gender)混為一談，然後替男、女建立一套既有的觀念。我們會在通訊內一連十期道出十大謬誤。
　

謬誤二︰你是男人，定係女人？

小玲有一位朋友，佢好剛強、健碩、穩重、硬朗、決斷、理性….人品也很好，是一位理想的伴侶，你會想這是否她的男朋友呢？
　

明仔也有位好友，佢好?柔、甜美、眼汪汪、好體貼又善解人意、說話時陰聲細氣，人品也很好，是一位理想情人，這會不會是明仔的女友呢？
　

對不起，小玲的朋友是她的女朋友，而明仔的朋友是位男生！搞了大半天，都是「男唔似男、女唔似女」！搞錯了！
　

而這句評語中卻蘊藏著不少的性別定型，這些定型的威力甚至可以?殺了他或她們的生理性別，於是便出現了「男人婆、女人型」的稱號。試看看就是因為這些性別定型的原因，對個人的傷害：男的不流淚、女的不博咀…男的要去健身，女的要去纖體…男的要做決定、女的要聽從…男的要事業有成、女的要出得廳堂入得廚房…可是，人都是會流淚、都是有自己的體型、都是要學習做決定、都是要有錢和工作為生、都是要食飯和有社交的機會。
　

事實上，每一個人都是獨特的(看看你的指紋)，也是有自己的個人特質。人的珍貴，是每個人生擁有的權利、尊嚴和自由。放下這些性別定型，相信人也活得更開心哩！why not?
　

In our daily lives, we tend to mix up the Chinese terms “sex” and “different sex” (gender) and stick to traditional views on different genders. We will do a mini-exposé on ten common misunderstandings in e-newsletter.

Misunderstanding #2: Are you a man or a woman?

Amy has a friend who is firm, strong, stable, decisive, rational…and has a good personality. This friend is an ideal companion. Will you think this is her boyfriend?

John also has a good friend who is gentle, sweet, innocent-eyed, considerate, perceptive, speaks gently and has a good personality. This friend is also an ideal companion. Will you think this is John's girlfriend?

Oops, Amy's friend is a girl and John's friend is a boy! So are they kind of "tomboy or sissy guy" ?!
　

Well, this expression reflects the impact of gender stereotyping; Stereotypical thinking can be very powerful to an extend that it can supersede a person’s biological nature; hence the derogatory terms “tomboy” and “sissy”. Gender stereotypes bring damages to our growth and personality as a unique human being ; examples of: men should not cry, women should not talk back; men should be muscular, women should be slim and slender; men should make decisions, women should be submissive; men should have successful careers, women’s careers are in the home. But as a matter of fact, every human being cries, has one’s own unique physical shape, should learn to make one’s own decisions, needs a career to make a living, and needs to socialize.

In reality, everyone is unique (take a look at your fingerprints!) and has one’s own unique characteristics. The value of humans is in their rights, dignity and freedom. Put aside these gender stereotypes and life will be happier! Why not?

您好﹗我叫Valerie，現正在香港一所國際學校讀高中。因為我希望將來能修讀新聞相關的學位課程，我想替慈善機構寫作會是一個寶貴的經驗吧，所以我曾電郵給不同的機構，希望他們能給予我寫作的機會。雖然我也收到數個機構的回覆，最後我還是選擇了與婦女動力基金合作。

我本身在校也是國際特赦組織的財政，因此我也十分支持婦女的權益工作。要把寫作做得好，必須要寫一些自己堅信的，所以我便替婦女動力基金做翻譯義務工作。我覺得這項任務很有挑戰性，也推薦喜歡寫作或翻譯的同學跟我一樣，去接受類似的挑戰﹗

如你也想跟Valerie一樣，跟我們同行，請立即按此下載義工申請表格，並傳真或電郵給我們。

Hi! My name is Valerie Wong and I'm a tenth grade student at an international school in Hong Kong. As I am interested in possibly pursuing a journalism degree at university, I thought that writing for a charity organization would be a good way to gain some valuable experience. As a result, I emailed numerous organizations in Hong Kong about student writing opportunities. Although I received several responses, I ultimately decided upon HER Fund. This is because as the treasurer of my school’s Amnesty International club, I am a staunch supporter of women’s rights and I believe it is important to write about what you are passionate about. I have found translating for HER Fund a challenging yet ultimately rewarding task so far, and I would recommend any student interested in writing or translating to try something like this!

If you want to walk with us like Valerie, please click here to download our application form. After filling the form, please email or fax to us.

由於現時大眾均比較喜歡以輕鬆及生活化的手法去認識各種議題，而香港暫時也沒有專為討論有關性別平等及意識的網誌，故此我們便計劃起來。希望透過不同看法人士的投稿，以生活化的主題及形式從不同的角度帶引與婦女議題相關的討論，增加大家對婦女議題的認識及關注，並引發與大眾的互動討論空間。

當然，沒有大家的稿件，便沒法進行此計劃，故我們希望大家能幫幫手，如果你有以下相關的欄目想法，歡迎以文字、攝錄、繒畫或拍照的形式記錄下來，然後電郵給我們︰



     

* 如有此範圍外的好建議，也可提供文章，我們會另闢欄目

　

不論中文、英文也無任歡迎﹗你也可邀請身邊的朋友寫一下網誌，然後電郵至 info@herfund.org.hk 給我們﹗

** 婦女動力基金有最終之刊登及編輯權。 **

People nowadays prefer a more relaxed and casual way to learn and to communicate, so far, Hong Kong does not have any thematic blog that discuss gender equality and awareness. Hence, we have this plan. Through articles submitted by people with different perspectives, we hope to share thoughts on women-related topics in a casual manner and style to provoke an interactive discussion and to enhance our gender sensitivity.

Surely, without your contributions, there is no way we can go ahead with this plan; therefore we hope you would join us to open up this space. If you have any thoughts on the following topics, please send us your input by e-mail. We welcome contributions by writing, videos, drawings or photographs.

Hot Talk: Comments and reviews on Entertainment News/Current Affairs/TV Dramas/Movies
　

Pop culture: Music, health & environment, fashion, beauty
　

Your life: Discussions or writing related to love, friendship, families and work
　

Woman Traveler: Travel experiences and observations from abroad
　

Events news: Introduction to HER Fund activities and activities related to other women’s organizations
　

         * If you have other suggestions, please submit your article and we will publish it under
           a special topic.

Chinese or English contributions are both welcome! Please also invite your friends to write a blog entry and then e-mail it to us at info@herfund.org.hk.
　

**HER Fund reserves the right to make final decisions on editing and publishing.**

要能夠有足夠而穩定的捐款，才能繼續推動性別平等和婦女權益工作的根基。所以，你們的定期捐款，是非常重要的﹗

-- 所有香港居民可憑捐款收據申請稅項寬減 --

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