中文版

  1. EOC Chairperson wrote about gender stereotypes in news reports

An illustration of a man and a woman, both in suit, holding a piece of puzzle together to complete the puzzle
Lately, a few news stories on a suspected homicide-suicide case involving a young couple have aroused the concern of some women’s rights groups. These reports suggested that a wife should be extra considerate of her husband’s feelings when she makes more money to avoid marital conflicts, implying that a woman is not entitled to being more successful than her husband and that male violence against women is somewhat justified.

The EOC is also worried that such reporting reinforces gender stereotypes, which are obstacles to eliminating sexual discrimination and harassment. To raise the EOC’s concern, our Chairperson Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming wrote two op-ed pieces in the Hong Kong Free Press and Stand News respectively on how the media is closely related to social gender norms, and how we as a society should move past the old ways of thinking if we are to progress and prosper culturally and economically. The articles were published on the websites of the two news agencies and uploaded to the EOC website.
 
Separately, we examined topics related to stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination in the recent issue of the EOC journal Equality Perspectives. You can read the publication on our website if you are interested.

Read Prof Chan’s article in the Hong Kong Free Press
Read Prof Chan’s article in Stand News (Chinese only)
Read the second issue of the Equality Perspectives

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  1. EOC issued statement on alleged sexual harassment cases at secondary school

A poster of the EOC on sexual harassment prevention
In early September, it was widely reported by the media that two female students of a local secondary school were allegedly sexually harassed by a male teacher of the school. In response to the cases, the EOC issued a statement, encouraging victims of sexual harassment to lodge complaints to the EOC to seek redress for their losses in addition to bringing their cases to the police.
 
The statement also mentioned the definition of sexual harassment, the time bar for lodging a sexual harassment complaint with the EOC, and recommended actions for the aggrieved persons. In addition, the EOC urged all schools to keep in place a set of anti-sexual harassment policy and ensure all staff and students are aware of their rights and liabilities under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance.

Following the statement, EOC Chairperson Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming released an article in his online am730 column on 20 September, in which he reiterated the EOC’s stance of zero tolerance for sexual harassment and urged relevant parties to take preventive measures.
 
In raising awareness of sexual harassment in the education sector, the EOC provides training to schools, including training for students who may be organising orientation activities for their tertiary institutions. We also maintain an online training module called A matter of S/HE that students and staff can complete of their own accord.

Read the media statement published by the EOC
Read Prof Chan’s am730 article (Chinese only)
Guidelines on formulating anti-sexual harassment policies in schools
A matter of S/HE online training module
Other online resources maintained by the EOC on sexual harassment prevention

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  1. EO documentary has made its way to India

Poster of the AbilityFEST
We are very happy that one of our EO documentaries, Recharting My Destiny, has reached audiences in different parts of the world through not only the EOC YouTube Channel but also various film festivals. Following its screening at the UN Enable Film Festival in New York last December, it made its way to the AbilityFEST in Chennai, India earlier this month.
 
The documentary about two young people with disabilities trying to find their place in the world was among the 30 films screened at the Indian film festival between 11 and 14 September. The biannual event showcases films from around the world that share the vision of building an inclusive society.

We certainly hope Recharting My Destiny and our other documentaries will be shown to more audiences near and far so that they will get to know about the situations of the vulnerable groups in Hong Kong and the work of the EOC in fighting discrimination.

Watch Recharting My Destiny

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  1. Mental Health Month design competitions submission deadline extended to 9 October 2017

Poster of Mental Health Month 2017
Mental Health Month, a yearly campaign led by the Labour and Welfare Bureau that aims at raising public awareness of mental health and fostering community acceptance of people with or recovering from mental disabilities, has recently rolled out three public design competitions. They are: a product design competition in which participants are required to design a lifestyle product for promoting mental health; a game design competition where parents and children from kindergartens and primary schools are invited to invent a game for improving family mental health; and a menu design competition calling for “low-oil, low-sodium, low-sugar” recipes.

Do not miss these competitions if you want to flaunt your design talent and help promote social mental wellbeing. Winners will get to showcase their work and be awarded cash coupons. For details about the competitions, please refer to the Facebook page of Mental Health Month.

Visit the Facebook page of Mental Health Month (Chinese only)

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Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app (Apple App Store / Google Play) to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.