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The Government today (January 13) announced the appointment of Mrs Stella Lau Kun Lai-kuen as the new chairperson of the Women's Commission (WoC), as well as the appointment of four new members and the re-appointment of three incumbent members to WoC with effect from January 15.
Four new members are Ms Leona Lam Wai-ling, Mrs Miranda Leung Chan Che-ming, Dr Raees Begum Baig and Ms Wong Shu-ming.
Mrs Stella Lau Kun Lai-kuen is the Headmistress of Diocesan Girls' School and has been a member of WoC for six years. She is currently a member of the University Grants Committee, Community Sports Committee and Independent Commission Against Corruption Complaints Committee.
Ms Leona Lam Wai-ling is the former principal of the Tai Po Old Market Public School (Plover Cove). She is currently a school partnership advisor of the Hong Kong Institute of Education, a member of the Child Fatality Review Panel and the Appeal Boards Panel (Education).
Mrs Miranda Leung Chan Che-ming is a General Manager (Corporation Relations) of the MTR Corporation Limited. She is currently a member of the Council for Sustainable Development and the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.
Dr Raees Begum Baig is a manager for the Centre for Social Impact of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. She was previously a member of the Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony and a researcher on racial equality in Hong Kong.
Ms Wong Shu-ming is a member of Yau Tsim Mong District Council, the Gas Safety Advisory Committee and the Appeal Tribunal Panel (Building). She is also Secretary-General of the Kowloon Women's Organisations Federation.
Three incumbent members, Ms Teresa Au Pui-yee, Ms Lee Lai-ching and Dr Ronnie Hui Ka-wah, are re-appointed. Dr Ronnie Hui Ka-wah has served on the WoC since 2008, and Ms Teresa Au Pui-yee and Ms Lee Lai-ching have served on the WoC since 2010. They have contributed significantly to the work of the WoC during their tenure.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomed the appointments and re-appointments. He said, "Mrs Stella Lau has served as a member of the WoC since 2006 and has made valuable contributions to promoting the interests and well-being of women in Hong Kong. I trust that under Mrs Lau's leadership, WoC will continue its dedicated efforts in advancing the development of women in Hong Kong.
"The newly appointed and re-appointed members come from diverse backgrounds, with vast experience in their professions and community services. Members from women's groups are also included. I look forward to their advice on the work of the WoC."
He also thanked the outgoing chairperson, Ms Sophia Kao Ching-chi, and the three outgoing members, Ms Fong Man-ying, Dr Sharmila Gurung and Mr Lee Luen-fai, for their sterling contributions and dedication to the work of the WoC.
The WoC was set up on January 15, 2001, as a central mechanism to promote the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong. It plays a strategic role in advising the Government on policies and initiatives on women's issues.
Following is the membership list of the WoC from January 15, 2012:
Non-Official Members
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Mrs Stella Lau Kun Lai-kuen (Chairperson)
Ms Teresa Au Pui-yee
Ms Au Yeung Po-chun
Dr Polly Cheung Suk-yee
Dr Ronnie Hui Ka-wah
Dr Maggie Koong May-kay
Professor Lam Ching-man
Ms Leona Lam Wai-ling
Ms Lam Yuk-chun
Mrs Ayesha M Lau
Mr Christopher Law Kin-chung
Dr Trisha Leahy
Ms Lee Lai-ching
Mrs Miranda Leung Chan Che-ming
Dr Leung Lai-ching
Dr Raees Begum Baig
Ms Sandy Wong Hang-yee
Ms Catherine Wong Pui-yee
Ms Wong Shu-ming
Mr Robert Wong Yao-wing
Ms Constance Yue Mui-ying
Ex-Officio Members
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Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare or representative (Vice-Chairperson)
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs or representative
Director of Social Welfare or representative
Ends/Friday, January 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:25
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