Social Welfare | 211
potential female candidates, and women's participation in ASBS (excluding official and ex-officio members) has improved: from 23.7 per cent in December 2004 to 25 per cent in December 2005. The Administration will continue to work in this area.
The introduction of an innovative and flexible learning mode, the Capacity Building Mileage Programme, in March 2004 was major step towards helping women develop to their full potential. The programme seeks to enhance women's all-round abilities and promote life skills. The programme is being implemented on a three-year pilot basis in partnership with the Open University of Hong Kong and a radio station, with funding support from the Lotteries Fund and supplementary learning activities organised by NGOs. Since the launch of the programme, the response from women has been enthusiastic. Altogether, 21 radio courses and six face-to-face courses have been developed. More than 7 800 women had enrolled in the programme by the end of 2005, a figure that does not include the large audience reached through the radio programmes. Students say they have benefited from the courses in terms of increased interest in learning and enhanced confidence and knowledge in resolving problems in daily life.
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The commission seeks to establish partnerships with NGOs through its various activities to enhance communication and create synergy. It has developed collaborative framework with NGOs and other interested parties to encourage cooperation. The commission will continue to collaborate with the non-governmental sector to promote the realisation of women's full potential and the elimination of gender prejudices, and to strive for a more prosperous and better future for all.
Home Pages
Health, Welfare and Food Bureau: www.hwfb.gov.hk
Social Welfare Department: www.swd.gov.hk
Community Investment and Inclusion Fund: www.hwfb.gov.hk/ciif Women's Commission: www.women.gov.hk