Child welfare NGOs in Hong Kong: Does advocacy work?

Abstract

This article examined advocacy strategies and barriers of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the child welfare sector in Hong Kong. Drawing on seven case studies, the dynamics between social workers’ role as advocates on one hand, and the need for their organizations to fulfill contractual obligations with the government on the other are revealed. We found that the ambivalent political environment and the subvention system defining existing relationships between the government and NGOs appear to restrict the social work profession’s mandates toward advocacy. Legal reforms that define what is permissible advocacy work by NGOs while protecting their right to do so are urgently needed.