Press Releases

The Government today (June 2) published a report on actions taken to implement the Beijing Platform for Action. The Report will be submitted as part of China's report to the United Nations.

The report sets out Hong Kong's achievements in meeting the strategic objectives under the 12 critical areas of concerns contained in the Platform since 1995, Mr Robin Gill, Deputy Secretary for Health and Welfare, said.

"The Beijing Platform for Action was adopted in the Fourth World Conference on Women held in September 1995. It identified priority areas for action by Governments, international communities, non-governmental organizations and private sectors," he explained, adding that these areas include education and training of women, violence against women, women and health, women and the economy etc.

The United Nations will hold a Special Session of the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 21st Century" on June 5 to June 9 in New York to review and assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and consider further actions and initiatives for the year 2000 and beyond.

Mr Gill will, as a member of the Chinese delegation, attend the five-day Special Session. He said, "Participation at the Special Session demonstrates the Government's commitment to the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the importance we attach to women issues in Hong Kong.

"Our recent decision to set up a Women's Commission later this year is one of the many concrete efforts taken to promote the well-being and interests of women in Hong Kong.

"We intend to make use of this opportunity to meet other government representatives, NGOs and women groups and other interested parties to exchange views and experiences. We are sure these will serve as useful references for us as we launch the Commission," Mr Gill said.

An on-line version of the report on the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the HKSAR can now be downloaded from the homepage of the Health and Welfare Bureau. Copies are available on request by telephoning 2973 8165.

End/Friday, June 2, 2000

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