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The following is issued on behalf of the Women's Commission:
The Women's Commission (WoC) hosted a premiere of two new television series today (March 8) to celebrate International Women's Day 2011 as well as its own 10th anniversary with women's groups and various community stakeholders attending.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary the WoC produced the television series in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) to promote a better understanding of women's development in Hong Kong, as well as to raise people's concern about women's issues.
Speaking at the premiere, the Chairperson of the WoC, Ms Sophia Kao, summarised the major achievements of the WoC in the past decade. She said, "We have been actively promoting gender mainstreaming and offering our views on various issues to Government departments to help create an environment conducive to the development of women.
"The WoC's efforts in promoting the policy, services and legislation in relation to domestic violence have been remarkably effective. Our work in encouraging women to participate in public affairs has also led to a significant increase in women's participation rate."
In addition to organising publicity and public education programmes, the WoC also conducted surveys on women's issues and published relevant findings to help eliminate bias and stereotype towards women in the community, Ms Kao noted.
She thanked various sectors of the community for their support and efforts in promoting the development of women in Hong Kong. She hoped that they would achieve even closer cooperation in future.
One of the two television series premiered today comprises 10 episodes of five-minute programmes featuring various issues related to women. It is hosted by Ms Kay Tse, and will be broadcast on ATV-Home at 11am and TVB-Jade at 3.20 pm on Sundays from March 6 to May 8.
The other series consists of 10 episodes of drama and showcases contemporary experiences shared by women of different ages. It aims to provide the audience with a better understanding of the complexity of women's lives today.
The drama series is scheduled for broadcast in October this year. The premiered episode, produced by Ms Heiward Mak, is the story of a woman who has chosen to reject gender stereotypes.
Also officiating at the premiere were the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Paul Tang; Acting Director of Broadcasting, Mr Gordon Leung; and Deputy Director-General of Coordination Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Ms Liao Xun.
Ms Kay Tse, Ms Heiward Mak, and Senior Executive Producer of RTHK, Ms Sheila Cheung, also shared with the audience their experience in producing the television series.
Ends/Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:04
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