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Promoting Equality in women's access to and participation in economic activities
As a general policy to promote equal opportunities in employment, the Labour Department, through its labour relations promotional activities has disseminated the message of equal opportunities to employers. Employers are also advised to remove the gender requirement on job vacancies in recruiting employees through its Local Employment Services.
In respect of training, the Employees Retraining Board has organised through various training bodies, a number of tailor made retraining courses specifically catering for the needs of the elderly women as well as female household managers to enhance women's access to the labour market.
Protecting and Promoting women's human rights
The Sex Discrimination Bill which renders unlawful sex discrimination and sexual harassment in a number of areas of activity was introduced into the Legislative Council in October 1994, the Bill was passed by the Legislative Council on 28 June 1995.
Promoting women's equal access to bealth
In Hong Kong, a comprehensive range of health services are available to women. Women's health needs in all stages of the life-cycle are being catered for. Services in respect of mental health, reproductive health, nutrition and cancers, and menopausal and post-menopausal conditions are readily available to women in Hong Kong.
The Family Health Service of the Department of Health provides maternal health services to women of reproductive age through its network of 46 maternal and child health centres. The Government subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong also runs birth control clinics, providing contraceptives, gynaecological check up, pre-marital check up, counselling and advice on sub-fertility.
The first Women Health Centre run by the Department of Health commenced operation in May 1994 to provide services for women aged 45 and above. This provides a comprehensive range of health screening and education services including screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer. Two more women health centres will be established by 1997.