Discriminatory and Sex-specific Legislation
10.
7
Group has
Under the Bill of Rights (BOR) Ordinance, laws which discriminate against women are repealed. No BOR cases on sex discrimination have so far reached the courts. Given that it is unlikely that the courts will have the opportunity to identify discriminatory provisions, the Working advised the Government to take the initiative to do so and to amend legislation that is clearly discriminatory within the meaning of the BOR. All policy Branches have been asked to review legislation under their purview to legislation
identify which might discriminate on the basis of sex. Several provisions concerning civil service arrangements have been identified as being discriminatory and amendment legislation has been introduced into Legislative Council.
the A few other provisions studied. An example is a provision in the Marriage Ordinance are being which does not give the mother the right ta give consent for the marriage of her children under the age of 21.
11.
work expressed
pensions
been
The Working Group has also reviewed legislation which is intended to protect women in industrial undertakings from working excessive overtime or engaging in underground
and dangerous trades. Different views have
on the need for such legislation. Some employers and women's groups believe that some of these measures (like control on overtime) are out-dated and over-restrictive and should be removed. Some representatives of trade unions and Women's groups, however, think that the protective measures. are necessary and should be maintained. believes
The Working Group, that it would be prudent to maintain the status quo for the time being until trade union representatives are convinced that the removal of some of the protection is in the interest of women workers.
Education and Vocational Training
12.
sexes.
Our educational and vocational training institutions have adopted a policy of equality for, students of both
Nevertheless, because of differences
sex stereotyping and in aptitude, there has been male dominance in the science and engineering fields while women have been dominant in the arts and language subjects. Some women's groups have complained about sex stereotyping in textbooks and teaching materials. It has not been possible for the Working Group to examine the extent of such sex stereotyping. The Education Department has, however, already taken steps to alert, the Advisory Inspectorate and publishers to avoid unnecessary gender biases and sex stereotypes.
13.
Some women's groups have drawn our attention to Women's special need for retraining. Statistics show that a considerable number Of women leave the workforce marriage
after
to cope with family commitments, especially raising
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