Yung Shue Tau, the public square in front of the Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei, has always felt like a place for grassroots residents. However, on March 17, 2019, apart from fortune-telling, singing, and street vending, it had suddenly morphed into a “Congress Hall”. More than 200 citizens gathered to join the "Public Hearing for Poverty Alleviation" organized by the Anti-poverty Alliance to discuss poverty in Hong Kong. Many members of the Commission on Poverty, including Mr Chau Pui-por, Ms Lau Oi-sze, Hon Kwong Chun-yu, Hon Tang Ka-piu, Community Care Fund Task Force co-opted member Mr Cheung Leong, Ms Yeung Yee-ching, the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund Task Force co-opted member Mr Chua Hoi-wai, Hon Shiu Ka-chun, and Chair of Women's Commission Ms. Chan Yuen-han and representatives of parliamentary organizations were present to listen to the voices of residents.
The hearing focused on discussing four different themes, namely carers, teenagers, housing, and others. After the public expressed their opinions, members of the Commission on Poverty who attended the meeting also responded. In addition to the public hearing, the organizer also held a "Free Space Against Poverty" with more than a dozen booths that exhibited or provided experience activities. We have worked with the carer platform to set up a Carer Café in the venue, so that participants can take a rest and learn about the problems faced by the carer, such as the carer's situation, the carer's poverty and marginalization. Over 1,000 people participated in the event.
Enquiry|Advocacy Team
2153 3153
advocacy@womencentre.org.hk
Office C, 19/FL, West Gate Tower, 7 Wing Hong Street, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, HK