On 9 October 2015, the EOC issued a statement in relation to recent media reports that a fireman was suspected to have been bullied and sexually assaulted by his colleagues. Dr. York CHOW, Chairperson of the EOC said, “The EOC is deeply concerned about the incident, and considers the suspected mass bullying unacceptable. The alleged acts may also be in breach of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance.”

Sexual harassment is unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO), Cap. 480. The legal protection against sexual harassment applies to both men and women, as well as sexual harassment to persons of the same sex. Employers, including Government departments, may be vicariously liable for any discriminatory and sexual harassment acts done by their employees in the course of their employment, unless the employers can show that they have taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent the employees from doing the unlawful act. “The EOC welcomes members of the public to contact us for enquiry on the protection against sexual harassment under the SDO or to lodge complaints,” added Dr. Chow.

Read the full statement

To strengthen support for and raise awareness on equal opportunities among the general public, particularly film-lovers, the EOC has launched the micro-film competition, “Stop Discrimination Now • Starting With You And Me”. Participants are invited to produce their own micro-film (between five and eight minutes in length) to express their views on eliminating discrimination and promoting equal opportunities, social inclusion and cultural diversity. Submission deadline is 31 January 2016. The winning videos will be uploaded on the EOC’s YouTube webpage, with the prize presentation ceremony planned for March 2016. Find out more details via the link below!

Meanwhile, the United Nations is calling for entries of disability-related short films for screening at the UN Enable Film Festival, held annually at UN Headquarters in New York to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Submission deadline is 20 November 2015.

Details of the EOC micro-film competition
UN Enable website
EOC YouTube Channel

On 6 October 2015, the EOC representatives attended the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services’ Subcommittee on Strategy and Measures to Tackle Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence to discuss the issue of support services to Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities facing domestic or sexual violence. Earlier on, the EOC made a submission to the Subcommittee, in which we highlighted our work in this area, including the formation of a dedicated Ethnic Minorities Unit and the questionnaire survey on sexual harassment for foreign domestic workers, which was released in December 2014. The Commission also put forth a number of recommendations to ensure equal access by ethnic minorities to information and support measures for victims of domestic or sexual violence, including providing more information in ethnic minority languages or interpretation services, raising cultural sensitivity of frontline service providers including Government officials and medical professionals, and formulating protocols on handling cases of domestic or sexual violence from the ethnic minority communities.

Read the submission

The EOC is delighted to be a supporting organisation to the Jockey Club Equal Opportunities Drama Project, run by Prospects Theatre Company and funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Officially launched at a ceremony on 13 October 2015, in which Dr. York CHOW, the EOC Chairperson was one of the officiating guests, this three-year project involves citywide drama competition and a host of drama-related activities to promote the concept of equal opportunity and inclusion among students. The objectives of The Jockey Club Equal Opportunities Drama Project include: (1) To make drama activities available to young people, especially those from under-privileged backgrounds; (2) To build a peer-based community for young people through drama activities; (3) To provide good drama programmes for the residents of Hong Kong; and (4) To advocate equal opportunities for all. Enrolment on the inter-school drama competition is open now until 11 November 2015. Participants will have the chance to attend a series of seminars on equal opportunities and workshops on various aspects of the dramatic arts by the organiser from November 2015 to February 2016. Please see the links below for more details.

Prospects Theatre Facebook page
More about the Jockey Club Equal Opportunities Drama Project

The Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme is now open for nomination! Since 2013, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the EOC have joined hands to organise the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme each year to encourage local enterprises and organisations in both public and private sectors to adopt accessibility design in their websites and mobile apps.

By incorporating web accessibility design, organisations would not only avoid disability discrimination, but they would also be doing their part to build a caring and inclusive society. In addition, by adopting good business practices, they can expand their customer reach, and fulfil their corporate social responsibility. All local enterprises, organisations, and schools may enter into the Scheme by nominating their websites and mobile apps. The application deadline is 30 November 2015, with results announced in March 2016.

Details

The EOC is pleased to be, once again, a supporting organisation of Rehab Power Day 2015, co-organised by Redford Charitable Foundation and Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power, who are also the co-beneficiaries. Held annually since 2010, the event will take place this year on 24-25 October at Victoria Park Central Lawn to promote the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, and economic life. The fun-filled carnival for the whole family will feature various zones dedicated to games, art, health, food, as well as musical performances and much more! Funds raised will be used to support Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power’s vocational training programmes. Admission is free, and all are welcome!

Date	Time	Venue
24 October 2015 (Saturday)	10am – 8pm	Victoria Park Central Lawn, Causeway Bay
25 October 2015 (Sunday)	10am – 6pm

Details