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202 | Social Welfare

and other bodies. The projects have transformed over 22 000 service recipients into service givers. Over 400 mutual help networks have been established, providing support to over 10 000 families. Over 20 cooperatives are being formed, and more than 2000 jobs are being created. Over 300 000 people benefited from these initiatives.

An independent evaluation consortium comprising seven research teams from five universities has studied the strategies promoted by the CIIF in 2006 and found them effective. The next evaluation will focus on the critical success factors in developing and sustaining social capital.

The CIIF invites new funding proposals in May and November each year.

Tripartite Cooperation: The Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged

A $200 million financial commitment, called the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, was set aside in 2005 to promote tripartite partnership, comprising the Government, the business sector and the NGOs, to help the disadvantaged in Hong Kong. The fund is administered by the SWD. Donations from the business sector are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government. The money and other forms of assistance go towards helping NGOs to carry out social welfare projects. As at end- 2007, over $29.4 million in government matching grant had been approved, and more than 70 NGOs had obtained funds to implement 97 welfare projects. Many of the business partners also served as volunteers.

Women's Commission

The Women's Commission (WoC) was set up in January 2001 to promote the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong. The commission identifies women's needs and addresses their concerns in a holistic and systematic manner. It advises the Government on policies concerning women and seeks to ensure that their perspectives are taken into account in the formation of government policies.

The WOC comprises 21 members including the chairperson who is a non-official member. Its quest is 'to enable women in Hong Kong to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life'. In line with this goal, the commission has adopted a three-pronged strategy: providing an enabling environment, empowering women and promoting public education. On advice of the WoC, the Government has since 2002 gradually introduced gender mainstreaming in different policy areas to provide an enabling environment. A Gender Mainstreaming Checklist was drawn up to help officers take women's needs and perspectives into account in the formulation of government policies in a systematic way. In addition, gender- related training has been provided to over 2 700 civil servants of different grades since 2001. All bureaux and departments now have their own Gender Focal Points through which matters concerning women's interest and status can be channelled.

As for the empowerment of women, the WOC always strives to promote development of new service models and good empowerment practices. The introduction in March 2004 of an innovative and flexible learning mode, called the