On 22 January 2015, the EOC announced the results of the “Sexual Harassment – Questionnaire Survey for Education Sector 2014”, which indicates a substantial increase in the number of schools that have an anti-sexual harassment policy since this survey was last conducted in March 2013. The 2014 survey, carried out in partnership with the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, saw 494 completed surveys out of a total number of 1,172 questionnaires distributed to all primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions across the city.

Among these respondents, 88% (437 schools) said that they have a policy statement on anti-sexual harassment, which is a marked improvement from the 2013 figure of 53%. Of the schools who have a policy statement on anti-sexual harassment, nearly half (48%) said they began implementing such a policy in 2013 and 2014. Dr. John TSE Wing-ling, Convenor of the EOC’s Policy and Research Committee, said, “We believe these survey results compellingly demonstrate the positive impact of the Commission’s various initiatives on this front, from the creation of the Framework for Sexual Harassment Policies in Schools to our seminars and workshops, all of which were aimed at equipping educators to formulate and implement such a policy, as well as to handle related complaints.”

Read the press release
See the survey results
News highlights

The EOC recognises the importance of instilling equal opportunity values from an early age for achieving a truly inclusive society. To this end, the EOC has been collaborating with Prospects Theatre on a forum theatre pilot-project for secondary school students in the 2014-15 school year under our youth programme, “Youth Challenge”. Students from six secondary schools and a youth centre will take part in drama workshops provided by Prospects Theatre to produce and act in different drama performances, with themes relating to non-discrimination, fighting stereotypes and promoting equality. On 1 February 2015, trained student participants from De La Salle Secondary School, N.T., Pui Ling School of the Precious Blood, and Ko Lui Secondary School will give their performance at the Drama Carnival to be held by the Prospects Theatre in Sheung Shui. The EOC will also set up a booth in this carnival to promote messages of equal opportunities.

The EOC is also hosting a visit from the students of Holy Trinity College on 4 February 2015, as part of the Life Skills Programme of The Women’s Foundation. The main goal of the programme is to teach mid-late Hong Kong teens to examine, question and challenge the status quo, to replace negative stereotypes with positive images, and to feel empowered to affect positive life changes at university, the workplace and beyond. A representative from the EOC will provide the visiting students with an overview on the EOC’s work and mission, with discussions on various aspects of equal opportunities and how youth can play a key role to drive a more inclusive society. Please contact the EOC at 2511 8211 if you are interested in holding similar talks at your school or organisation.

The EOC’s youth programmes: Youth Challenge and Uniquely Me

Close to 80% of the complaints received by the EOC are employment related, and the majority of employers in Hong Kong are small to medium enterprises (SMEs). In order to facilitate SMEs to advance an inclusive workplace, the EOC is organising a sharing session on “SMEs - An Equal Workplace for All”. Apart from case study and introduction of the anti-discrimination ordinances, EOC Board Members, as well as guest speakers from the Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ & Exporters’ Association and SMEs will talk about the benefits of employing persons with disabilities and how to foster an inclusive workplace.

Date:	7 February 2015 (Saturday)
Time:	2:00 – 5:30pm
Venue:	Equal Opportunities Commission 19/F, Cityplaza Three, 14 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong
Language:	Cantonese
Cost:	Free (Space allocated on first-come, first-served basis)
Enquiry:	Mr. Lo (Tel: 2106-2181) or Miss Cheung (Tel: 2106-2153)

Registration form
Programme rundown

Pregnancy discrimination continues to be one of the most prevalent form of discrimination the EOC receives under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. To gain a deeper understanding about this issue, and in view of the fact that most employers in Hong Kong are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the EOC is inviting proposals for a research project entitled “Study on Pregnancy Discrimination in Small and Medium Enterprises”. The study will provide an overview on discrimination against pregnant women in SMEs in Hong Kong. Furthermore, views from employers, human resources practitioners and relevant stakeholders will be solicited about possible measures to redress this form of discrimination. The application deadline is 26 January 2015 at 5:00pm. For enquiry, please contact Ms Tso at 2106 2255.

Details

Transgender people are among the least understood and most maligned of all minority groups. The lack of understanding about their experience, coupled with stereotypes and a fixed conceptualisation of gender, means that many continue to face daily prejudice, discrimination and harassment. In order to widen fact-based public understanding, with the goal of advancing equality for all, the EOC is supporting the Association of World Citizens HK, via the Community Participation Funding Programme, to hold a series of educational programmes aimed at demystifying transgenderism for the general public. The target audience are representatives from business organisations, non-governmental organisations, government departments, and educational institutes. The workshop, each lasting two hours, will introduce transgenderism, discuss legal gender recognition, share real-life stories, and cover the protection of transgender people under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance. For enquiry, please email to awchklgbti@gmail.com or call 90292683.

More on the Community Participation Funding Programme

The EOC is proud to support Community Business’ Hong Kong LGBT Workplace Inclusion Index 2015, and encourages all companies committed to creating inclusive workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees in Hong Kong to participate.

This Index is the first and only benchmark in Asia on corporate policies and practices for creating inclusive workplaces for LGBT employees. By participating in the index, companies have access to a robust tool to help drive the adoption of best practices on LGBT workplace inclusion in Hong Kong; the ability to benchmark their company’s performance against other companies in Hong Kong; and the opportunity to position their brands as LGBT-friendly and establish themselves as an employer of choice.

Basic participation in the Index is free, and the submission deadline is 27 February 2015. Please see the links below to the registration form and more details.

Registration Form
Hong Kong LGBT Workplace Inclusion Index 2015 Website