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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (December 12) at 11 am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on gender equality.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Audrey EU, states: "That, as women in Hong Kong at present still face many barriers politically, economically and socially, etc, and are denied equal opportunities for development, this Council urges the Government to adopt more proactive measures to cater for their needs, so that both sexes can enjoy equal opportunities for development; such measures should include:
(a) appointing more women to advisory and statutory bodies to encourage their participation in community affairs;
(b) increasing resources to support women from the grassroots, including new arrivals and single mothers;
(c) allocating more resources to curb domestic violence and support the victims of such violence;
(d) allocating more resources to support victims of sexual violence; and
(e) providing more women-friendly facilities in the community, such as more water closet cubicles for female."
Hon TAM Heung-man, Hon Miriam LAU, Hon CHOY So-yuk, Hon LEUNG Kwok-hung and Hon Albert HO will move separate amendments to Hon Audrey EU's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on legislating for the provision of baby-sitting rooms. The motion, to be proposed by Hon LEE Wing-tat, says: "That, as government and public sector buildings, large shopping centres and restaurants in Hong Kong at present generally do not provide baby-sitting rooms, thus causing great inconvenience to women who are breastfeeding, and resulting in some mothers having to breastfeed in toilets, which may affect the health of the babies, this Council urges the Government to face up to womenĄŻs right to breastfeed, and to study introducing or amending legislation to make the provision of baby-sitting rooms and breastfeeding facilities a mandatory requirement for new and existing government and public sector buildings, large shopping centres, department stores and large restaurants."
Hon Mrs Selina CHOW and Dr Hon Joseph LEE Kok-long will move separate amendments to Hon LEE Wing-tat's motion.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Home Affairs will move a resolution under the Legal Aid Ordinance to amend the Legal Aid Ordinance (Cap. 91).
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 20 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the Legislative Council web site (http://www.legco.gov.hk).
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Legislative Council Chamber. They may reserve seats by calling 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, December 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:19
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