The COVID-19 pandemic has turned everyone's life upside down. While everyone is coping with stress, women's family roles and responsibilities as caregivers contribute to their anxiety levels and make their lives even harder. Their worries range from health to economic concerns. A moderator from the Chinese University of Hong Kong – Prof. Han Ling, Assistant Professor in Gender Studies Programme, and the translator Ms. Wong Ka Hei, MPhil Student of Gender Studies – expressed their views on how the New Normal has affected women's physical and mental health and what society can do to help.
Dr. Maria Hung, Assistant Professor at the School Nursing at Tung Wah College, shared her observations of Hong Kong women's psychological and life status. She found that women's stress stemmed from their fatigue as caretakers, the tension of marital and parental relationships, and concerns about environmental hygiene.
Dr. Celia Chan, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong, undertook a survey on women's health in the South District. Survey results revealed that, besides the factors already mentioned above, women's health was affected by urban renewal, community resources, and peer support, the latter two proved important to many women.
Ms. Barbara Lau, Officer-in-charge of Jockey Club Wah Fu Centre, had abundant experience as a front-line worker. She remarked that many women did not realize their stress level was reaching the threshold of mental breakdown. In that case, frontline workers must reflect upon social expectations for women, and guide the saddened women to destress, recognize their self-worth, and take care of themselves.
Prof. Linda Lam, Clinical Professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hon President of Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres, referred to her professional opinions and service experience at various organizations. She advocated creating a service platform to cater to the needs of women and caretakers. Such a platform would connect people, uncover vulnerable women, and support women's practical and emotional needs.