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Press Release

Women's Commission celebrates International Women's Day 2008

The Women's Commission organised a luncheon talk today (March 8) to celebrate the International Women's Day 2008 with women's organisations and community groups.

Speaking at the reception before the talk, the Commission's Chairperson, Ms Sophia Kao pointed out that women should be given opportunities to take part in community activities, including economic and social affairs and decisionmaking, to enable the full realisation of their potentials as well as to achieve gender equality. Their role should no longer be confined to the family.

She said that enhancing women's abilities and promoting equal opportunities for women and men in community affairs are one of the major tasks of the Commission.

"The Capacity Building Mileage Programme, which was initiated by the Commission in 2004, aims to help women upgrade their quality, build up selfconfidence and a positive attitude towards life. After participating in the programme, many women said they have developed an interest in learning and are leading a more fulfilling and enlightened life. It is clear that the programme has attained its goal," said Ms Kao.

During the annual session of the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women held in New York last week, the Commission members shared at a panel discussion with delegates from overseas countries about Hong Kong's strategy and experience in the empowerment of women, highlighting the Capacity Building Mileage Programme.

"The discussion was well received. Although there were a number of group discussions held at that time, many delegates joined our panel discussion and some of them expressed interest in learning from the Capacity Building Mileage Programme," said Ms Kao.

The Commission adopted "Women in Leadership" as the theme of the International Women's Day 2008 and today's luncheon talk.

"Nowadays, women in Hong Kong are active in a range of community activities. For example, our guest speakers today Ms Chan Yuenhan, Mrs Regina Ip Lau Sukyee, Ms Connie Lau Yinhing and Ms Mary Ma have attained remarkable achievements in their field. Their experience of being a women leader would surely inspire more women to take on a leading role and decisionmaking work.

"To build a harmonious society, mutual respect and understanding are of paramount importance. The Commission will continue to join hands with different sectors of the community to promote the development of women affairs in Hong Kong. We will also strive to arouse men's awareness on gender issues and encourage their participation in working towards a harmonious society with gender equality," said Ms Kao.

Also officiating at the event were Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Guo Li; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kinchung; and the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Paul Tang Kwokwai.

Established in 2001 as a central mechanism on women affairs, the Commission has been promoting the wellbeing and rights of women in Hong Kong through a threepronged approach, namely creating an enabling environment for women to participate in the community more fully, upgrading their ability and stepping up public education to remove gender bias and stereotypes.

Ends/Saturday, March 8, 2008