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Social Welfare
Women's Commission
The Women's Commission promotes the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong. It advises the government on policies related to women to ensure that women's perspectives are taken into account in the formulation of government policies.
The commission comprises 24 members, chaired by a non-official. Through the provision of an enabling environment, empowerment of women, and public education, the commission aims to enable women in Hong Kong to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
On the commission's advice, the government has introduced gender mainstreaming to provide an enabling environment. A Gender Mainstreaming Checklist has been adopted to help civil servants take a systematic approach in assessing the needs and perspectives of both sexes when formulating government policies. Gender-related training has also been provided to over 8,000 government staff since 2001. All bureaus and departments have their own Gender Focal Points through which matters concerning gender mainstreaming can be channelled.
The commission's initiatives to help women realise their potential include the Capacity Building Mileage Programme (CBMP) which is aimed at enhancing women's self-confidence, learning abilities and life skills. The CBMP is carried out in collaboration with the Open University of Hong Kong, a radio station and over 80 women's groups and NGOs. By the end of 2014, the CBMP enrolments had exceeded 75,000, in addition to the large audience reached through relevant radio programmes.
The Funding Scheme for Women's Development provides annual funding of around $2 million for women's groups and NGOs providing women's services to organise relevant programmes and activities at regional and district levels.
Rehabilitation Advisory Committee
The Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC) is the principal advisory body to the government on the well-being of persons with disabilities and the development and implementation of rehabilitation policies and services in Hong Kong. RAC sub-committees look into specific areas of concern, such as access, employment and public education.
The RAC and its sub-committees are chaired by non-officials, and all RAC members are appointed in their personal capacity by the Chief Executive. To ensure that the interests of persons with disabilities are represented, the RAC's membership includes persons with different disabilities, parents of persons with disabilities, representatives of self-help organisations for persons with disabilities and NGOs providing rehabilitation services, as well as academics, community and business leaders, professionals and other persons who have an interest in the well-being of persons with disabilities. Representatives of relevant government bureaus and departments also serve as ex-officio members to provide the necessary support to the RAC and follow up on issues it raises.
Through its sub-committee on public education, the RAC co-ordinates the implementation of various public education programmes on rehabilitation. In 2014, 35 public education
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