As part of its ongoing effort to combat sexual harassment, the EOC has been conducting surveys and studies to assess the trend of sexual harassment in different sectors. On 2 March 2018, the EOC released the findings of its latest “Study on knowledge of sexual harassment and experience of being sexually harassed in the service industries: Comparing recent female Mainland Chinese immigrants with locally-born women”. The study aims to compare the knowledge of sexual harassment and experience of being sexually harassed in the service industries between newly arrived female Mainland Chinese immigrants and locally-born women, and come up with concrete recommendations on enhancing the knowledge about sexual harassment.

On 5 March, the EOC and the Gender Research Centre (GRC) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong co-organised a Seminar on Enhancing Awareness of Sexual Harassment in Different Sectors. Speakers from the education, social welfare and business sectors, as well as NGOs, were invited to share their experience in launching anti-sexual harassment campaigns, and discuss the issue of sexual harassment against women in the workplace and how to prevent sexual harassment in different sectors. At the Seminar, speakers and more than a hundred participants held placards of “#TIMESUP” and “#BreakingSilence (#打破沉默)” and got together for a photograph, in response to the international anti-sexual harassment and anti-sexual assault campaigns, and in support of Hong Kong's anti-sexual harassment campaign.

The EOC has rolled out a citywide campaign to promote racial diversity and inclusiveness. Featuring MTR advertisements, public event, talks and seminar throughout March, the month-long programme aims to provide a platform for citywide action against racism, discrimination and intolerance, in observance of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) on 21 March.

The EOC’s commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and developing talents has once again earned recognition. On 5 March, EOC Chairperson Professor Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming, joined by colleagues of the Commission, received the Friendly Employment Award under the Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme (2017-18) from the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr LAW Chi-kwong.

The 2018 spring training programme by the EOC will run from mid-March to mid-June. Offering 10 different courses, the training programme aims to deepen the participants’ understanding on issues related to discrimination and equal opportunities.