Press Releases

Women's Commission Celebrates International Women's Day 2003

The following is issued on behalf of the Women's Commission:

The Women's Commission, together with guests from women's groups and various sectors of the community, celebrate the International Women's Day 2003 at a reception today (March 1).

At the reception, the Commission also presented awards to 32 winners of an essay competition organised jointly by the Women's Commission and a newspaper organisation.

Speaking at the Cocktail Reception to Celebrate International Women's Day 2003 cum "The New Sky of Modern Women" Essay Competition Prize Presentation Ceremony, the Chairperson of the Women's Commission, Mrs Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, said women and men in Hong Kong, irrespective of their background, had to build up their capacity to face up to challenges.

"This is especially pertinent to women, who have a special role to play in the family and society, being the binding force for those around them," she said.

"Women are the gravity that gathers strength," Mrs Leung reiterated, "For them to fully develop their potential, the community has to facilitate their advancement and remove any barriers."

Noting the importance of capacity building for women, Mrs Leung said this would be the overarching theme of the work of the Women's Commission this year.

"All initiatives of the Commission will be aligned with this theme, including the work plans for gender mainstreaming, empowerment of women, and public education, " she said.

On gender mainstreaming, or incorporating women's perspectives in the policy making process, the Commission will introduce its analytical tool, which is in the form of a checklist, into a number of policy areas. Gender related training will continue to be provided to civil servants to enhance their awareness of gender related issues.

As regards empowerment of women, the Commission is working with non-governmental organisations in promoting and publicising new service models and good practises. A booklet on good empowerment practise will be published by the middle of the year.

The Women's Commission is also exploring a capacity building programme framework to facilitate women from different backgrounds to acquire various skills and gain recognition for courses they take.

As part of the Women's commission publicity and public education campaign, a new announcement of public interest (API) with the theme on women capacity building was launched today.

The website of the Women's Commission was also revamped on the same day.

To boost the community's gender sensitivity and interest in women-related issues, the Commission had jointly produced a TV drama series with RTHK for broadcast from December 2002 to February 2003.

The Commission is also producing a radio programme with RTHK for broadcast on every Thursday night from 11.30 pm to 1 am until May 15. All interested parties are welcome to phone in and air their views in the programme.

"The New Sky of Modern Women" Essay Competition was held last December to stimulate public discussion on the life and development of women's potentials. Around a quarter of secondary schools in Hong Kong had joined the contest and more than 1,800 submissions were received from five entry categories.

"We are glad to see that the essay competition has received enthusiastic response from the community, especially from the young people. This reflects that the work of the Women's Commission is making an impact on society, which is becoming more aware of the role, contribution, and concerns of women," Mrs Leung said.

Also officiating at today's reception were the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, and Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai.

End/Saturday, March 1, 2003
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