中文版

  1. The EOC Unveils New 20th Anniversary Logo and Multimedia Competition

EOC 20th Anniversary Logo

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the EOC, which was established on 20 May 1996 with the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. To commemorate this special occasion, the Commission will launch a series of initiatives throughout the year, targeting different segments of society.

First, the EOC is proud to unveil a special 20th Anniversary Logo, which stylises the Chinese word “平” (“Equal”) in the original EOC logo to incorporate the concept of “二十” (“Twenty”). This logo is specially designed for this occasion by Prof. T.H. Tse, honorary professor in computer science at The University of Hong Kong and Co-opted Member of the EOC’s Community Participation and Publicity Committee. Prof. Tse is well known for his logo designs for non-governmental organisations, such as the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Physical Disabilities, the Jockey Club Arts Accessibility Service Centre, and Hong Kong Abilympics 2007.

The EOC has also launched a multimedia competition to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Members of the public are invited to submit short videos, photos and/or posters themed on equal opportunities. Further details about the competition can be found on the special webpage for the 20th anniversary.

Visit the EOC’s 20th anniversary webpage

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  1. The EOC Introduces New Booklet on “Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – Tips for SMEs”

Cover of booklet on “Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – Tips for SMEs”

On average, the EOC receives more than 300 complaints lodged under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) each year, about 30% of which are related to sexual harassment in the workplace. Under the SDO, employers may be held vicariously liable even if they have no knowledge about their employees’ acts of sexual harassment. Moreover, according to the amendments to the SDO in December 2014, providers of goods, facilities and services are also protected from sexual harassment by customers.

To help employers of small-to-medium enterprises (SME) take appropriate measures to prevent sexual harassment at work, including developing and improving their sexual harassment workplace policies and measures, the EOC has produced a new booklet, “Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – Tips for SMEs.” This new resource provides useful reference materials and practical advice geared for SME employers and the employment context. Interested SMEs may contact the EOC for copies of the booklet.

See the EOC’s Framework for Corporate Policy on Sexual Harassment
The EOC’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Resource Webpage

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  1. The EOC Named Co-Winner of the 2016 HK LGBT Inclusion Awards organised by Community Business

LGBT Advocacy Award organised by Community Business

The EOC is delighted to announce that, together with the Gender Research Centre of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, our January 2016 Study on Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status was named the winner of the “LGBT Advocacy Award”, one of the categories of the Hong Kong Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) Inclusion Awards organised by Community Business, a Hong Kong-based not-for-profit organisation advancing responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia. The Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards are the only awards recognising the exceptional dedication and accomplishments of individuals, companies and organisations in advancing equality and inclusion for LGBT individuals in the Hong Kong workplace and community. This year saw around 100 nominations received for the 11 award categories.

The Award Winners were announced at the 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards Gala Dinner, held on 17 May 2016. At the event, the EOC Chairperson, Prof. Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, delivered short remarks to congratulate all the finalists and emphasised the Commission’s commitment to advancing equality for the LGBTI community. “It is, of course, fitting that today is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). Certainly, from the Commission’s perspective, there is no room for such prejudice in an international city and business centre like Hong Kong. Over the course of my term, I look forward to working with all of you to fight discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status,” said Prof. Chan.

IDAHOT 2016 Event Prof. Chan also attended an event on 15 May 2016 to mark IDAHOT 2016, which was co-organised by the Association for Transgender Rights, Gay Harmony, Les Corner Empowerment Association, Rainbow of Hong Kong, and Women Coalition of HKSAR. At the event, he reiterated the Commission’s stance that there is a need for anti-discrimination legislation on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status. Prof. Chan also called on the Government to widen public education on
this issue and consult the public on introducing the legislation as soon as possible. Earlier that day, he attended an interview at the RTHK Radio 2 programme “We are Family” to explain his position on LGBTI and other issues.

See the Study on Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status
See all the Winners of the Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards 2016

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  1. The EOC Co-organises EO Day on 21 May 2016

Backdrop of EO Day “Let’s Build an Inclusive Hong Kong Together”

With the aim to promote racial integration and equal opportunities for ethnic minorities residing in Yuen Long, which is the district with the highest ethnic minority population in the New Territories, the EOC will co-organise “Equal Opportunities Day” together with the Yuen Long Town Hall, Bethel High School and the Office of District Councillor TO Ka-lun. The Equal Opportunities Day will feature sharing by the EOC Chairperson, as well as two young police officers and a newly graduated accountant from the ethnic minority communities who will discuss the challenges and achievements of pursuing their professional careers. This will not only serve to inspire ethnic minority students on their career planning, but also demonstrate how ethnic minorities can make important contributions to society. In addition, there will be game booths, interactive activities and cultural performances.

Date: 21 May 2016 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm (Stage activities: 2:00pm – 3:30pm)
Venue: Bethel High School
No.11, 4th Street, Section F, Fairview Park, Yuen Long, N.T.
Language: English and Cantonese

A World of Colours: The EOC’s resource webpage on racial equality
Poster

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  1. The EOC Supports The Women’s Foundation’s She Objects Campaign and Girls Go Tech Programme

“She Objects” Campaign by The Women’s Foundation

The EOC is proud to be a supporting organisation of two exciting initiatives by The Women’s Foundation (TWF): She Objects campaign and Girls Go Tech Programme.

The She Objects campaign is based on the documentary She Objects, produced by TWF. This is the first documentary of its kind in Hong Kong to explore how traditional and new forms of media create and exacerbate gender stereotypes with often damaging consequences. After the official launch ceremony in June 2016, TWF will organise a series of screenings with universities, schools, parenting groups and other community groups to widen the message of the documentary.

Girls Go Tech is an after-school programme targeting F.1 and F.2 female students. By providing participants with foundational skills in coding and technology, the programme aims to encourage girls to select STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in their studies and career choices. This aims to address the underrepresentation of women in these areas, both in academia as well as in professional pathways.

More about She Objects
More about The Women’s Foundation

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Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app (Apple App Store / Google Play) to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.