Representatives of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) highlighted the challenges faced by women in Hong Kong at the 59th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (the Committee) on 20 October 2014 in Geneva, prior to a hearing by the Committee on the Third Report of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) scheduled for 23 October 2014.

Representing the EOC at the session were EOC Board Member, Ms Su-Mei THOMPSON, and Mr Michael CHAN, Director (Planning & Administration) of the EOC. In her statement to the Committee during its informal meeting with human rights institutions on 20 October 2014, Ms THOMPSON raised the EOC’s concerns about the safety of women in Hong Kong; the barriers that prevent women from being economically self-reliant and from advancing in the workplace; and the discrimination encountered by marginalised communities of women in the territory.

“An important issue on safety of women in Hong Kong is sexual harassment, which remains prevalent according to the findings of our various surveys to examine the extent of sexual harassment in schools and universities and the business sector, particularly the airline and other service industries,” Ms THOMPSON said.

“We must send a clear message to the perpetrators of harassment against women and girls that any form of harassment is reprehensible and not condoned,” Ms THOMPSON emphasised. “We also ask that the HKSAR Government works with the EOC as a matter of urgency to encourage and assist all schools to introduce a sexual harassment policy.”

“We must also look to strengthen the existing legislation. In this respect, we note that the HKSAR Government has introduced the Sex Discrimination (Amendment) Bill 2014 to extend protection to service providers who are harassed by their customers. The EOC is also currently consulting the public on a possible extension of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance to make employers liable for sexual harassment of employees by customers in certain circumstances as part of its Discrimination Law Review,” Ms THOMPSON remarked.

In addition, Ms THOMPSON called on the HKSAR Government to address the economic hardships encountered by women, as exacerbated by gender bias, gender insensitive policies and the lack of accessible and affordable childcare and elderly care support services. “Notwithstanding the fact that women constitute nearly half of the labour force, they still earn less than their male counterparts in both menial and white-collar jobs. This, in addition to the fact that women make up the bulk of the workforce in the low-paying catering, caring, cashiering and cleaning sectors, as well as the lack of a universal pension plan, explains why there are many more women than men living in poverty.”

“Unfortunately, while women are over-represented among casual, part-time or low status full-time workers, they are also under-represented in decision-making positions, top status jobs and high earning fields, with many women exiting the labour market temporarily or permanently after marriage or childbirth in order to care for family members,” Ms THOMPSON said.

“The EOC believes that the Government can do so much more to improve the situation, such as extending the current 10-week paid maternity leave entitlement, introducing statutory paternity leave, reviewing spending on childcare services and addressing the hidden burden of care for elderly dependents, especially in light of Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population,” Ms THOMPSON further remarked.

Ms THOMPSON noted that Hong Kong’s paid maternity leave entitlement is among the lowest in the world at 10 weeks, when compared with the 14-week statutory entitlement in Mainland China which is consistent with the International Labour Organization’s recommended minimum.

On the topic of discrimination against marginalised minority communities of women, Ms THOMPSON suggested that the Government should take appropriate measures to facilitate their integration into the local community and to ensure equal education opportunities for female ethnic minority students who face both cultural and language barriers. She also urged the Government to launch a public consultation on legislating to prohibit discrimination against sexual minorities as soon as possible. “There is currently no legal recourse for lesbian and bisexual women and transgender and intersex persons who encounter discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation and gender identity,” Ms THOMPSON said. She noted the EOC is conducting a study to identify the discrimination encountered by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community and to solicit views on how this can be addressed through legislation or other means.

Ms THOMPSON further highlighted the risks of abuse and harassment faced by foreign domestic workers and violence against sex workers, as well as the need for the Government to expedite the review of the small house policy and to encourage the active participation of women in public life and policy-making roles. She also spotlighted the challenges facing women with disabilities, including psycho-social, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and female carers with disabilities, who are more vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Ms THOMPSON concluded, “As our society grapples with a rapidly ageing population and growing income inequality, it is imperative that women have a voice in the critical business, economic and social issues affecting Hong Kong. Only by addressing the gender gaps in society can we ensure a brighter future for women and girls from all walks of life in Hong Kong.”

The EOC made a submission to the Committee in September 2014 to present its views and concerns about the gender inequality issues in Hong Kong and to facilitate the Committee’s consideration of the Third Report of the HKSAR under CEDAW. The submission can be viewed at the EOC website: http://www.eoc.org.hk.

EOC Board Member Ms Su-Mei THOMPSON, and Mr Michael CHAN, Director (Planning & Administration) of the EOC attend the 59th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
21 October 2014