Press Releases
Women's Commission visits local women's groups
The Women's Commission is conducting a series of visits to local women's groups following its inaugural meeting last month.
Today (February 10), the Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, together with eight members of the Commission, visited the Hong Kong Women Development Association in Sheung Shui and the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres in Cheung Sha Wan.
"Members are very pleased to have this opportunity to have a face to face dialogue with these women's groups who provide a valuable service to the community," said Mrs Leung. "We aim to learn about their work, listen to their concerns, and see how the Commission might assist them in their work."
The Hong Kong Women Development Association was established in June 1996 and currently operates two service centres in the New Territories. These provide education and childcare services, resource centres and interest groups for women. Current membership is in excess of 1,300.
As for the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres, it was set up in 1981 and promotes the rights and status of women. The Federation currently provides a number of services including telephone hotline service and counselling, mutual help groups and resource centres at its two centres to over 1,000 members.
"Members found these visits extremely useful and they have enhanced our understanding on a number of problem areas," Mrs Leung said.
She emphasized that "the Commission will consider all views and suggestions made during these visits in devising its future work direction". The Commission will have a brainstorming session at the end of February to discuss its broad philosophy, mission and values.
The Commission has visited three other women's groups earlier this month and discussed issues relating to sexual violence, employment, equal opportunities for women in Hong Kong. Visits to seven other organizations have been arranged for the next two months.
The Women's Commission is a high-level central body tasked with identifying women's needs and developing a long-term vision for the development and advancement of women in Hong Kong. It is comprised of 23 members and was established on January 15, 2001.
End/Saturday, February 10, 2001
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