中文版

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  1. EOC briefs lawmakers on work progress and upcoming plans

Illustrated image of a path leading to a mountain top
On 18 February 2021, EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin attended a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Constitutional Affairs to present an update on the Commission’s work in 2020-21 and its key focuses for 2021-22.

The number of enquiries received by the EOC in the first three quarters of 2020-21 almost doubled from the full-year figure in 2019-20, largely because of an increase in coordinated email campaigns expressing concern over certain social and political incidents. In determining whether to establish a complaint for investigation, the EOC had to consider: (i) whether there had been an allegation of an unlawful act falling within the purview of the laws enforced by the Commission, namely the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Family Status Discrimination Ordinance and Race Discrimination Ordinance; (ii) whether the complaint was lodged by the person aggrieved by the alleged act or by a representative authorised by that person; and (iii) whether it was made in writing. Adhering to these principles, the EOC handled a total of 989 complaints in the first three quarters of 2020-21, with 85% of the cases that underwent conciliation successfully reaching a settlement.
 
Meanwhile, the EOC continued to research on trends of discrimination, advocate policy reforms and provide training for both the public and private sectors. Highlights included the release of a study on public perception of women in politics and a research on the education and career pathways for ethnic minority youth, as well as a mix of online and offline training sessions that reached nearly 13,000 people from a wide spectrum of industries. These prevention efforts were complemented with various public education initiatives, from competitions and exhibitions to publications and online videos, that helped raise awareness of the anti-discrimination ordinances and their latest changes, as well as the struggles and contribution of different communities in Hong Kong.

Addressing questions about the inadequacies of the anti-discrimination ordinances during the meeting, Mr Chu said that one of the areas the EOC will focus on in the upcoming fiscal year is a review of the current law intended to fill gaps in protection against sexual harassment and discrimination based on residency status, sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status. The EOC has already put into motion a plan to map out different legislative options and consult stakeholders before presenting proposals to the Government for follow-up action.

For more details on the EOC’s upcoming work, please click the link below.

Read the EOC’s submission to the Panel
Read Mr Chu’s speech at the meeting
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  1. Join our Zoom seminar in support of International Women’s Day

Poster of the seminar
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the EOC and the Committee on Gender Equality and Diversity (CGED), Faculty of Arts of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) will co-organise the seminar “Marginalisation and Empowerment: Voices of Hong Kong Women” via Zoom on 7 March 2021 (Sunday), 2:30pm-4:30pm.

In 1989, American scholar and civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” to capture how various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other, arguing that neither sexism nor racism alone could account for experiences of oppression among African American women.

Thirty years on, the concept remains a useful and relevant lens to understand the marginalisation of women in different cultural contexts. Focusing on carers, non-Chinese youth, migrant workers and new arrivals from mainland China, this seminar examines how gender, ethnic identity and socio-economic status continue to intersect and inform the challenges facing underrepresented women in Hong Kong today, and their implications for public policy. It also explores the history and potential of art – photography in particular – as a medium of empowerment and catharsis.

To register or learn more about the panelist line-up, please click the link below. The seminar will be conducted in English, and is a concurrent event of the photo exhibition “The Way We Are” at G/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, HKU from 6-23 March 2021.

Learn about our speakers and sign up
More on “The Way We Are”
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  1. EOC submits recommendations to Law Reform Commission regarding sentencing and related matters in the review of sexual offences

Illustrated image of a person holding a megaphone
The EOC recently made a submission to the Law Reform Commission (LRC) in response to its consultation on sentencing and related matters in the review of sexual offences.

Enforced by the EOC, the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) prohibits sexual harassment, as well as discrimination based on sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding and marital status in various areas of public life. Given a possible overlap between criminal sexual offences and some cases of sexual harassment under the SDO, the EOC has an important role in advocating for civil and criminal laws that would provide effective deterrents for such conduct and adequate protection for victims.

In particular, the EOC made a number of recommendations in relation to the Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) Scheme, which was established in December 2011 for employers to check for criminal convictions for sexual offences of potential employees undertaking work related to children and mentally incapacitated persons. As checks are on a voluntary basis and not being comprehensively conducted in relevant sectors, the EOC recommends that a mandatory legislative SCRC Scheme be introduced as soon as possible. In addition, the EOC takes the view that the Scheme should be extended to cover existing employees, self-employed persons, volunteers and interns, as well as sectors involving healthcare, social care and residential care homes for the elderly and people with disabilities. These proposed changes are essential to providing appropriate protection for a broader range of vulnerable communities against sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence.

Click the link below for a full view of the EOC’s recommendations.

Read the EOC’s submission
Read the LRC’s consultation paper
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  1. YouTuber New Dellily interviews two inspirational mothers featured in EOC’s photo campaign

Video interview with Bonnie and Ling - thumbnail
Hong Kong-born Indian YouTuber New Dellily released on Monday (22 February 2021) a video featuring Bonnie and Ling, two mothers who have contributed deeply touching works to the EOC’s photo exhibition “The Way We Are”.

Bonnie is a single mother living with depression, while Ling is an immigrant from mainland China who moved to Hong Kong three years ago. In a candid interview with New Dellily, they reflect on the stigma they have experienced and show a quiet determination to forge their own paths in life.

The video is the last episode of a three-part series co-produced by New Dellily and the EOC to draw attention to the hopes and aspirations of marginalised communities. The last two interviews featured artists with disabilities, migrant domestic workers and non-Chinese students in Hong Kong.

Watch the videos
View the exhibition schedule
Watch Cable TV’s report on the exhibition (Chinese only)