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Press Release

The Women's Commission visits local women's groups

The Women's Commission is conducting a series of visits to local women's groups following its inaugural meeting last month.

Today (10 February) the Commission visited the Hong Kong Women Development Association and the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres. The Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun and 8 members of the Commission, visited the organisations in Sheung Shui and Cheung Sha Wan.

"Members are very pleased to have this opportunity to come here and have a face to face dialogue with these women's groups who provide a valuable service to the community," said Mrs Leung. "We are here to learn about their work, listen to their concerns, and see how the Commission might assist them in their work."

The Hong Kong Women Development Association was established in June 1996 and currently operates two service centres in the New Territories. These provide education and childcare services, resource centres and interest groups for women. Current membership is in excess of 1,300. As for the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres, it was set up in 1981 and promotes the rights and status of women. The Federation currently provides a number of services including telephone hotline service and counselling, mutual help groups and resource centres at its two centres to over 1,000 members.

"Members found these visits extremely useful and they have enhanced our understanding on a number of problem areas," Mrs Leung said.

She emphasised that "the Commission will consider all views and suggestions made during these visits in devising its future work direction." The Commission will have a brainstorming session at the end of February to discuss its broad philosophy, mission and values.

The Commission has visited three other women's groups earlier this month and discussed issues relating to sexual violence, employment, equal opportunities for women in Hong Kong. Visits to seven other organisations have been arranged for the next two months.

The Women's Commission is a high-level central body tasked with identifying women's needs and developing a long-term vision for the development and advancement of women in Hong Kong. It comprises 23 members and was established on 15 January 2001.

Ends/Saturday, February 10, 2001