In the latest episode of the programme Letter to Hong Kong broadcast on 1 February 2020 on Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Radio 1, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin appealed to the public to stay level-headed and treat others with empathy, as Hong Kong braces itself for the risk of a community outbreak of the deadly new coronavirus.

“The more challenging the times, the greater the need for compassion,” said Mr Chu. “While the epidemic is causing anxiety in all of us, we must refrain from unduly discriminating against vulnerable groups, such as those who have fallen ill or require medical assistance. As the city strives to contain the outbreak, there is an equal need for empathy and understanding towards others. I earnestly hope that our solidarity will not be undercut by differences in our culture, race, religion, background, or other personal attributes.”

One way to express empathy is by sharing our excess resources with those in need. The Hong Kong Blind Union, for instance, is calling on netizens to donate masks to elderly people with visual impairment, who are facing added difficulties in going out to secure protective equipment amid supply shortage.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf (HKSD) has released a video on Facebook in sign language about the background of the outbreak and precautionary measures against the virus, such as wearing a mask, washing hands as often as possible, and avoiding crowded areas.  Additionally, a group of medical students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong have also produced a YouTube video about precautionary measures with subtitles in languages spoken by different ethnic minorities living in the city, including Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, Thai, Nepali, Bahasa Indonesia and Vietnamese.

Click the links below to find out more.

Listen to the episode on RTHK (Chinese only)
Read Mr Chu’s article in am730 about flexible work arrangements during the oubreak (Chinese only)
Follow EOC’s Facebook page, EMbRACE for coronavirus updates for ethnic minorities
Follow Hong Kong Blind Union on Facebook
Watch the video on HKSD’s Facebook page
Watch the YouTube video
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On 31 January 2020, the Government gazetted the Sex Discrimination (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Bill seeks to amend the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) to provide protection from harassment for breastfeeding women, and has been scheduled for First and Second Reading at the Legislative Council on 12 February 2020.

The EOC welcomes the gazettal of the Bill, which addresses views expressed by lawmakers and the community during scrutiny of the Discrimination Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2018. The latter took forward recommendations in the EOC’s 2016 report under the Discrimination Law Review and proposed, among seven other amendments, to revise the SDO to expressly prohibit discrimination on the grounds of breastfeeding. By further outlawing acts of harassment, the EOC believes that the new Bill will strengthen legal safeguards for the right to breastfeed, and help empower women to nourish their children without fear and intimidation.

Read the Government’s press release
Read the Bill
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The EOC is now accepting applications for its Community Participation Funding Programme for the financial year 2020/21.

Since its inception in 1997, the programme has benefited nearly 1,180 projects designed to promote equal opportunity and awareness of the anti-discrimination ordinances. Past grantees include advocacy groups who put up street booths to debunk myths about HIV, NGOs hosting talks for foreign domestic workers about their rights, and schools that organise singing contests in sign language, among others.

Funds are capped at HK$50,000 for each project. Apply on or before 27 March 2020 if you are passionate about fighting discrimination and eager to transform your idea into action.

For enquiries, please contact the EOC Office at 2511 8211 or eoc@eoc.org.hk.

Learn more and check if you are eligible
Download the application form