While accessibility is sometimes misconceived as a costly idea that benefits only a few, Hong Kong's rapidly ageing population - by 2041 almost one in every three Hongkongers will be 65 years old or above - means that barrier-free facilities are in huge demand and not being constructed fast enough. Indeed, the right to navitage the city with ease should be enjoyed by all, from wheelchair users and others with mobility difficulties to pregnant women and parents with baby strollers.

In the EOC's latest documentary An Extra Mile, we talk to two artists with disabilities, Kevin CHENG and Philip WONG, about obstacles in built environments that make everyday life much harder than it has to be for wheelchair users. We then zoom in on Tsuen Wan, a district crowded with vehicles and people, to explore takeaways from its experience in creating a barrier-free, elderly-friendly neighborhood. The EOC's successful effort to negotiate the construction of a ramp at the entrance of a market near Heng On Estate, Ma On Shan, is also chronicled in the documentary, which sheds light on complex, but not unresolvable, challenges such as fragemented property ownerships and limits in the EOC's enforcement powers.

The road to equality and inclusion is often said to be a long and winding one. But if we all go the extra mile to empathise with and accommodate each other's needs, a barrier-free Hong Kong is not beyond our reach.

Watch the documentary on EOC's Youtube channel
Learn more about barrier-free life with the 2018 Summer issue of Equality Perspectives

The Policy, Research and Training Committee (PRTC) of the EOC recently submitted its recommendations to the Education Bureau (EDB), having learned of its plans to review sex education in schools.

Sex education in Hong Kong schools has long been criticised for its overwhelming focus on the biological aspects of reproduction and little regard for values related to intimacy and relationships. Indeed, the term "sex education" reflects too narrow the spectrum of topics it covers. The EOC therefore recommends renaming the subject as "sexuality education" or "sexuality and relationship education" to spell out its true purpose - cultivating positive attitudes towards desire, others' bodies, and gender equality among the younger generation.

Before making the submission to the Government, Professor Susanne CHOI Yuk-ping, Convenor of the Working Group on Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign under the PRTC, along with some working group members, met officers of the EDB responsible for the sex education review to discuss and exchange views on the issues at stake. Among the recommendations made by the EOC in the submission are setting concrete objectives for sexuality education, the content to be taught and the measures to facilitate implementation, such as stipulating dedicated lesson hours.

"The current Guidelines on Sex Education in Schools were published some 20 years ago in 1997 and have not been revised since then," said Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, Chairperson of the EOC. "As mentioned in the Policy Address 2018, proper sex education plays a particularly important role in the personal development of teenage students. As the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum sets about developing a more holistic curriculum, we at the EOC feel obliged to chime in - because a better thought-out curriculum could help students develop healthier concepts of sex, enhance their knowledge of what's meant by sexual harassment and how to seek help, and ultimately serve as a preventive measure against sexual aggression. As a statutory organisation tasked with implementing the Sex Discrimiantion Ordinance and combating sexual harassment, we hope that the Government will value our input and take our recommendations forward."

Read the press release
Read EOC's submission to EDB in full

On 12 October 2018, the EOC and the Divinity School of Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) co-organised the "Seminar on Prevention of Sexual Harassment in Churches". The seminar aimed to raise awareness of sexual harassment and promote the formulation of effective anti-sexual harassment policies in churches.

Among the speakers were Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man, Director of Policy, Research & Training of the EOC; Mr CHONG Yiu-kwong, Deputy Convenor of the EOC's Working Group on Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign; Rev Ray WONG Ka-fai, School Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Programme, Divinity School of Chung Chi College of the CUHK; and Ms Vicky SHIU, Assistant Chaplain, Divinity School of Chung Chi College of the CUHK. They were joined at a sharing session by Rev Prof LO Lung-kwong, General Secretary of Hong Kong Christian Council; Professor Angela WONG Wai Ching, Vice President of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia; Ms Ivy CHUNG Wai-yin from the Support Service for Church, Hong Kong Christian Service; and Mr Kelvin MAK Kwong-yuen, Chief Equal Opportunities Officer in the EOC's Complaint Services Division.

The seminar served as a timely response to the wave of media reports that erupted earlier this year around sexual misdemeanours committed by senior pastors against both male and female churchgoers. A number of church leaders had also been alleged to have brushed off complaints and demanded silence from the victims.

Professor Susanne CHOI, Convenor of the Policy, Research and Training Committee and the Working Group on Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign of the EOC said, "Doctrines about forgiveness and the hierarchical structure of certain churches may give rise to a hush-hush culture that blames the victim, and it is a trend that must be stopped now. Needless to say, sexual harassment should not be tolerated anywhere, including churches. The EOC will continue to raise awareness of the problem both within and beyond the religious community through public education, research and training."

Read the press release
Access the EOC's anti-sexual harassment resources

Inspired by the annual carnivalesque celebration among LGBTI communities and their allies in Singapore, Hong Kong hosted its own Pink Dot in 2014 and is heralding its 5th anniversary this Sunday (21 October 2018).

Co-organised by Big Love Alliance, Covenant Of The Rainbow - Campaign Toward A Truly Inclusive Church and Q.Love, the love-themed event once again will be held at the scenic West Kowloon Art Park this year, featuring performances by an eclectic line-up of local bands and musicians. The 2018 "Pink Ambassadors", including equal rights advocates Angus LEUNG and Scott ADAMS, actress Amanda LEE and singer Joyce CHENG, will also show up to voice out their support.

Mark your calendar now for a breezy, pinic-ish and musical celebration of love that knows no bounds.

Find out what the Ambassadors have to say
What to expect at this year's Pink Dot
About Pink Dot Hong Kong