XN000022-1995-07-05 — Page 67

47 -

Obligations under declaration for Asian women

*

Following is a question by the Hon Christine Loh and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Administration inform this Council what specific steps it has taken and will take in 1995-96 to fulfil its obligations under the Jakarta Declaration for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific and the accompanying Plan of Action, to which Hong Kong became a signatory in June 1994?

Answer:

Mr President,

At the Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Women in Development in June 1994, participants adopted the Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific as a means to accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies in the Asian and Pacific region, and to contribute to preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women. The participants, taking into account the social, economic and political conditions of each country, committed themselves to taking all necessary measures to ensure effective implementation of the Plan of Action. As an associated Member of ESCAP, Hong Kong participated at the Ministerial Conference. The Plan of Action outlines nine critical areas of concern and sets out the general directions in respect of the actions to be taken.

In the Hong Kong context, the contents of the Declaration and the Plan of Action was disseminated to all the relevant policy branches involved in promoting the well-being of women in Hong Kong. In developing their policies and programmes, the relevant policy branches have, taking into account the social, economic and political conditions of Hong Kong, adopted measures to implement the Plan of Action. Examples of the measures taken in 1995 to implement some of the provisions in the Plan of Action are annexed for Members' information.