Dr. Fanny Cheung, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) met with 9 members of the United Nations CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) committee on January 26 and briefed them on the work of the EOC. She also presented the EOC's response on the government's CEDAW Report. The EOC has consulted 22 women's organizations in drafting its report. The need for a central mechanism on women's affairs in Hong Kong was the common consensus of the women's groups.

CEDAW members agreed that in order to fully implement CEDAW, a national machinery with a political will is necessary to set policies, introduce legislation, allocate funding and coordinate services and training for improving women's status in society. The Hong Kong Report will be heard on February 2 at the CEDAW meeting in the United Nations.

Earlier in the week (January 24), Dr. Cheung also attended the meeting of the International Women's Rights Action Watch and presented the strategies adopted by the EOC to eliminate sex discrimination and to promote equal opportunities. The meeting was attended by CEDAW members and international non-government organisations (NGOs) concerned with women's rights. The role of public education in addition to implementation of legislation was recognized as an important strategy.

Enquiry: EOC Hotline       25118211