WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977
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SHE HOPED THAT THE PILOT SCHEME WOULD PROVE SUCCESSFUL AND WOULD BE GREATLY EXPANDED IN FUTURE.
THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBER MADE A PLEA FOR REVISING THE MARRIAGE REFORM ORDINANCE AND TABLED A PAPER TO SUPPORT HER REQUEST.
THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOR THE POST REGISTRATION OF CUSTOMARY AND VALIDATED MARRIAGES WHERE ONE SPOUSE IS MISSING, OR FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF REGISTRATION OF SUCH MARRIAGES WHERE ONE SPOUSE IS EITHER MISSING OR DOES NOT CONSENT, SHE EXPLAINED.
SHE ALSO ASKED FOR AN EARLY DATE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO PREVENT THE DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY AND PAST SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR OF RAPE VICTIMS.
SHE WAS PLEASED WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS IN WOMEN'S POSITION IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE GOVERNMENT OVER THE PAST DECADE BUT POINTED OUT THAT THERE COULD STILL BE MORE, IN CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR MARRIED WOMEN IN THE GOVERNMENT, SUCH AS SUBSIDISED HOUSING, EDUCATION ALLOWANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND MEDICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENT FOR THEIR DEPENDANTS, WHICH SHE HOPED WOULD BE REVIEWED NEXT YEAR.
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