主持人:Lok Man Leung - Programme Manager at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
As most will know, the law can be complicated, confusing and costly. In Hong Kong, 1.394 million people live at or below the poverty line and that population cannot afford to pay private lawyers’ fees.
We know from the Department of Justice’s 2008 consultancy study on the “Demand for and Supply of Legal and Related Services” that 79% of people in Hong Kong did not know what to do when faced with a legal problem and that 40% of respondents for that survey had a legal problem. Using these numbers, we estimate that the pool of disadvantaged people with a legal problem is 550,000, or thereabouts, and, of those, some 440,000 do not know where to go for help.
And so the fact is that, for HK’s poorest people, the most disadvantaged people, there is a legal access gap. The people we serve are underprivileged and are often also very vulnerable. Typical legal problems include things like family matters, employment and discrimination, education, housing, immigration, criminal matters and sometimes, personal injury, healthcare, probate and of course increasingly online scams.
They extraordinary people face significant disadvantages due to a confluence of factors: the complexity of the legal system, a lack of financial resources and education, cultural and gender access to justice barriers as well as an absence of legal and digital literacy. Language barriers can actually be a major barrier. Limited financial resources restrict people’s access to private legal representation. Lack of education and awareness about their rights further exacerbates the issue they face, making them vulnerable to exploitation and unfair treatment. There are also some systemic biases within the legal system can also disproportionately affect marginalised communities.
The government services and clinics may not always provide interpreters to non-Cantonese or non-English-speaking people, which can really complicate access to information, advice and/or representation. There are also Cultural stigmas around legal action, particularly in family or employment disputes, which can make individuals not seek help early enough, which means there is an over reliance on informal networks rather than the formal legal channels. And all these mean that even if the legal problem is settled for now, the outcome is not legally enforceable and it means thee can be even more problems further down the line. Overcoming these barriers requires comprehensive legal aid, community outreach, and also we would hope for some systemic reforms to ensure equal access to justice.
Hong Kong has limited publicly funded community legal information and advice centres. While the Department of Justice, the legal professional bodies, the Duty Lawyer Service and the Legal Aid Department provide some support, this does not cover all cases. In fact, it also only addresses cases once a person is able to identified and not everyone knows that the problem they have has a legal solution, let alone being able to name it and even to work out what to do about it.
Equal Justice fills this initial void by offering assistance in the early problem identification phases, helping with settlement to avoid stressful and costly court proceedings, linking disadvantaged people to lawyers and helping them throughout their case journey so they are supported, can understand what is going on and can navigate the system well enough to make informed decisions. And why? To ensure that they avoid any further hardship and specifically poverty.
We provide legal first aid - to disadvantaged people - who cannot afford or otherwise access the law and legal support. We empower people and communities with legal education, information, and support, to ensure that justice isn’t just a privilege for the wealthy and well-connected. We give free, face-to-face, tailored legal information and support, and and also refer cases to lawyers and counsellors. So far, we have worked on 3,000 cases, and we’re just 5 years old. Ad the people we help are 50% women, 30% children and 20% men.
When it comes to generalised legal support for Hong Kong’s disadvantaged population, organisations like Equal Justice and university clinics rely heavily on pro bono lawyers. But, demand often outstrips supply, especially for time-intensive cases like child abuse or neglect, intimate partner violence, discrimination and family disputes.
We have partnerships with 100+ amazing law firms and 54+ charities are robust but may not be able to scale given the widespread needs that we are already experienced. And our caseload has increased ~40% each year for the last 3 years, which is quite significant.
In March 2025, rather wonderfully, the HK Bar Association announced that they will be partnering with Equal Justice and 3 other NGOs more closely to bridge the community legal access gap. This is a very welcome endorsement.
主持人:Lok Man Leung - Programme Manager at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation
In Hong Kong, the situation with AIDS shows progress but also ongoing challenges. As of 2023, the Department of Health reported around 10,000 individuals living with HIV. While new infections are decreasing, the prevalence remains higher in high-risk groups, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), who have the highest rates of HIV.
In discussing notable trends in AIDS in Hong Kong, it's crucial to recognize the challenges and progress within the community.
First of all, Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to face the highest HIV prevalence in Hong Kong, underscoring the urgent need for intensified prevention efforts and targeted education for this group.
Secondly, the decline in annual new HIV infections is an encouraging development, credited to public health campaigns that have facilitated increased testing and treatment access. Timely detection and intervention continue to be cornerstones in our fight against HIV.
Lastly, efforts to promote HIV testing and raise awareness have yielded positive outcomes, particularly among high-risk groups, fostering a culture of proactive health management through regular screenings for early diagnosis and treatment.
I would like to offer our insights on strategies for preventing HIV/AIDS transmission. This requires a comprehensive approach that involves education as a key component in increasing awareness. It's surprising that sexual education isn't mandatory in secondary schools. We need comprehensive sexual education and public health campaigns to inform the community about HIV transmission, prevention methods, and regular testing. These steps are crucial in reducing new infections.
Moreover, safe sex practices are key. Advocating for condom use and other barrier methods during sexual activities is vital. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is another important tool. By enhancing accessibility and awareness of PrEP for HIV-negative individuals, the risk of infection can be significantly lowered.
Last but not least, regular testing is critical. It's essential for early detection and treatment, particularly for high-risk individuals who should be encouraged to test regularly. By promoting routine testing, we can ensure timely interventions and better manage the spread of the epidemic.
Now, I want to share information on the symptoms of AIDS. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection, leading to a compromised immune system. Symptoms can include weight loss, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph glands, diarrhea, sores, pneumonia, skin blotches, and neurological issues. Testing is the only definitive way to determine HIV status.
In our work at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, particularly within the MSM team, we are committed to enhancing sexual health knowledge and the importance of safe sex practices. We focus heavily on raising awareness about the necessity of regular HIV and STD testing and actively promote the use of PrEP among at-risk groups. These groups include not only MSM but also female sex workers and their clients, as well as individuals who are sexually active with multiple partners.
One of our major challenges is overcoming the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS, which can significantly hinder community outreach and education efforts. Additionally, logistical challenges such as funding limitations and resource allocation also pose significant barriers to expanding our reach and effectiveness in these crucial areas.
To further combat the spread of HIV and enhance public health safety, we urge the government to provide more robust support to NGOs like ours. This includes not only funding support but also efforts to enhance overall sexual health education across various community sectors. Raising public awareness about safe sex and the importance of regular testing is critical.
Furthermore, we recommend that the government sponsor or subsidize PrEP for all at-risk groups. This proactive approach in preventative health could significantly reduce new HIV infections and better protect our communities. Implementing these measures with strong governmental backing and public engagement can make a substantial difference in the fight against AIDS.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate a song "These Are the Days of Our Lives" by Queen.
01/12/2024 - Lok Man Leung, Program Manager from Hong Kong Aids Foundation