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The following is issued on behalf of the Women's Commission:
The Women¡¦s Commission welcomes the Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive today (October 12). The commission will make its best efforts to complement Government¡¦s commitment to fostering harmony in the community, and to continue to enable women to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
Chairperson of the Women¡¦s Commission, Mrs Sophie Leung, said: "We are glad that the Chief Executive has recognised the work of the commission and our theme of 'Building a Harmonious Community'. The Chief Executive has also taken the commission's advice on a number of fronts, including the cultivation of care and respect amongst family members, as well as the provision of a family-friendly working and community environment.
"We are also pleased that the Chief Executive has reiterated the Government's non-tolerance stance against domestic violence. The Government has also renewed its commitment to insisting on the consideration of the different needs and perspectives of both genders when introducing new policies and measures, and to promoting women's participation in public affairs and advisory and statutory boards. The commission will continue to do its best to complement Government's efforts and to promote gender equality and harmony. We would also work hand in hand with women's groups toward this goal by promoting women's participation in community affairs and through leadership training for women."
Nurturing caring families has been one of the work foci of the commission this year. A pilot project on quality parenting education in the community is under planning. The pilot project aims to facilitate parents to build up support network, instill core values in children such as gender equality, mutual respect, self-resilience, etc, through the parenting process.
Combating domestic violence is another work focus of the Commission. The commission has set up a dedicated working group to deliberate and exchange views on tackling domestic violence with different stakeholders, including government departments, women's groups, service organisations, etc. The commission aims to announce its recommendations by end of this year.
Mrs Sophie Leung added: "Since its establishment, the commission has been performing the strategic functions of championing women's causes, inspiring and catalysing changes, and mobilising community resources, to formulate overall strategies for the advancement of women. We carry out our mission in a sincere and committed manner, and we treasure the quality of our work rather than the fame. A lot have been done in the creation of an enabling environment for women, empowering women and raising gender awareness of the public. The commission will continue to collaborate with different sectors of the community to arouse public's concern over women¡¦s issues and work hard for the interest of women."
The Women's Commission was established in 2001 and appointed by the Chief Executive as a high-level central mechanism to further promote the well-being and interests of women. Its mission is to enable women to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
Ends/Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:18
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