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The Government announced today (December 23) the appointment of Ms Sophia Kao Ching-chi as the chairperson of the Womenˇ¦s Commission and the appointment of 10 new members.
The appointments, which will take effect from January 15, 2006, have been published in the gazette today.
The 10 new members, appointed for two to three years, are Dr Miranda Chan Lai-foon, Ms Jacqueline Cheng Ming-fung, Ms Fong Man-ying, Ms Ruth Gee, Dr Sharmila Gurung, Ms Stella Kun Lai-kuen, Ms Betsy Lau Ka-shi, Prof Daniel Shek Tan-lei, Prof Maria Tam Siu-mi, and Prof Grace Tang Wai-king. Brief biographies of the new chairperson and new members are given in the Annex.
Speaking on the appointments, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow said Ms Sophia Kao had actively participated in various women organisations for many years and she had served as a member of the commission since its establishment in 2001. "She has made remarkable contribution and dedication in promoting the interests and well-being of women in Hong Kong," Dr Chow said.
"I am certain under Ms Kao's able leadership, the commission would continue to play a catalytic role in championing womenˇ¦s interests and mobilising various sectors for the development and advancement of women."
Coming from different backgrounds, the new members possess profound knowledge and extensive experience from their professions, including business, academic, medical and social services, and would strengthen the work of the commission on various fronts.
Dr Chow also expressed gratitude to the outgoing chairperson, Mrs Sophie Leung, and the outgoing members who have served on the commission since its establishment.
"The establishment of the commission marks one of the most important milestones in the history of the advancement of women in Hong Kong.
In the past five years, the commission has made significant progress in promoting the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong, and enabling women to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
In pursuing this goal, the commission had maintained close liaison with local and international womenˇ¦s organisations, and mobilised the joint collaboration of different sectors in advancing the interests of women.
This would not have been achieved without the strong and unparallel leadership of the Mrs Sophie Leung, and the valuable contribution and dedication of the members during their term of office," Dr Chow said.
The outgoing members include Prof Fanny Cheung, Dr Susan Fan, Dr Joseph Kwok, Mrs Peggy Lam, Dr Judith Mackay, Ms Diane Wilcoxson, Ms Margaret Wong and Dr Agnes Yeung, as well as Mrs Eva Cheng.
The commission was set up on January 15, 2001, as a high-level central mechanism which takes a strategic overview of womenˇ¦s issues. Comprising 18 non-official members and four ex-officio members, it plays a strategic role in advising the Government on policies and initiatives which are of concern to women.
The following is the full membership list of the commission with effect from January 15, 2006 :-
Non-official Members
Ms Sophia Kao Ching-chi, JP (Chairperson)
Dr Miranda Chan Lai-foon,
Ms Chau Chuen-heung, MH, JP
Ms Jacqueline Cheng Ming-fung
Ms Ophelia Cheung Look-ping, JP
Ms Fong Man-ying
Ms Ruth Gee
Dr Sharmila Gurung
Mr Andy Ho On-tat
Ms Ko Po-ling, MH
Ms Stella Kun Lai-kuen
Ms Betsy Lau Ka-shi
Ms Joanna Lau Lai-hing
Mr Ng Sui-kou, MH
Prof Daniel Shek Tan-lei BBS, JP
Prof Maria Tam Siu-mi
Prof Grace Tamg Wai-king, JP
Dr Yeung Ka-ching
Ex-officio Members
Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food or representative (Vice-Chairperson)
Secretary for Education and Manpower or representative
Secretary for Home Affairs or representative
Director of Social Welfare or representative
Ends/Friday, December 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:53
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