The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) announced a Year 2013 promotion initiative today (15 February 2013) by launching a new  TV docu-drama series on discriminatory cases, entitled “A Mission for Equal Opportunities” (非常平等任務). Produced by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the 6 episodes will be broadcast on TVB Jade Channel every Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. beginning 19 February, 2013.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr. LAM Woon-kwong, Chairperson of the EOC, said, “Society functions on the principle of fairness which includes mutual respect among fellow humans and equal opportunities for all in public life, including education, employment and services. The EOC, in cooperation with RTHK, regularly produces TV docu-dramas, with the aim to nurture public respect for every individual’s dignity and his / her right to equal opportunities.”

“In this new educational TV series, we have taken a closer look at the daily struggle of people with visual impairment for an independent life. Many existing physical and social barriers may hinder people with disabilities from accessing resources and facilities which are basic for them to live normal lives. These experiences can often be humiliating for people with disabilities and reinforce their feelings of isolation. In fact, many of these concerns can be addressed if our society really put universal access and inclusion for people with disabilities into practice,” said Mr. LAM.

Mr. LAM continued, “This series will also draw public attention to the difficulties encountered by new migrants from the Mainland, especially those with lower socio-economic background. Their lack of knowledge about community resources, coupled with the prevailing negative stereotypes of Mainland Chinese, makes it difficult for them to integrate into our society. We hope that the episode will initiate public discussion on how we may provide a more friendly and inclusive environment for them.”

The new series features the impact of the Hong Kong education policy on ethnic minority students and the challenges they are confronting. “Hampered by cultural and linguistic differences and a lack of financial resources, Hong Kong's ethnic minority students face massive hurdles in learning Chinese. It affects their access to higher education and employment opportunities. It is hoped that better understanding of the issue will help the public to understand why we need to formulate a more supportive and integrative education policy that not only improves the livelihood of the minorities but also enhances social integration and stability,”said Mr. LAM.

The new series also highlights family status discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities, pregnancy discrimination in employment and employers’ responsibilities of preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.

Some of the episodes in the docu-drama series are based on real life cases. The programme will feature analyses of discriminatory acts and the legal perspectives of equal opportunity issues. The series explores some possible solutions in circumstances where a person is being discriminated.

In an effort to gauge public response to the series, EOC Officers will set up a hotline after each episode from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning every Tuesday, from 19 February through 26 March 2013. Members of the public are welcome to call the EOC Hotline at 2511-8211 to comment on the programme or ask questions about equal opportunity issues.

Guests from ethnic minority groups and celebrities were present at the news conference to promote the launching of the TV series.
______________________

For media enquiries, please contact Ms. Mariana LAW at 2106-2226.

Equal Opportunities Commission
15 February 2013