CEDAW IN HONG KONG
The CEDAW in Hong Kong project is an online resource of information on the application of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to Hong Kong.
From 1-2 February 1999 the United Nations CEDAW Committee heard the first Government report on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since the resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. We feature government reports to the Committee, shadow reports by Hong Kong NGOs and Committee conclusions as well as background information on CEDAW in Hong Kong and advice for NGOs lobbying the CEDAW Committee
2012
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Release of the Third Report on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the CEDAW Convention, which was submitted to the UN as part of the combined seventh and eighth reports of the People's Republic of China (PRC) under the Convention.
PUBLICATIONS
Hong Kong's International Legal Obligations Under CEDAW, by Puja Kapai, October 2013 (on “Using CEDAW To Advocate Women’s Rights: A Workshop On CEDAW Shadow Report Writing”, 26-27 October 2013)
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Book Chapter: The Human Rights of Women, by Puja Kapai, 2011
PAPERS
The Human Rights of Women in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by Puja Kapai, November 2011
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Implementing the CEDAW Convention in Hong Kong: Gender Policy Analysis by Moana Erickson, June 1999
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The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and Violence against Women: Implications for Hong Kong by Andrew Byrnes, May 1999
CONFERENCE
Women in Prison: An International Symposium on the Bangkok Rules, 24-27 February 2014
CCPL worked with the Dui Hua Foundation to organise an international conference on issues related to women in prison. Specifically, the conference provided a forum for leading local and regional academics, as well as international organizations who have played a role in the drafting of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the ‘Bangkok Rules’) to present research and exchange views on the implementation of the Rules.
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DOCUMENTS
The First CEDAW Impact Study Final Report, with country reports on Canada, Germany, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, Panama, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and Ukraine. Introduction by Andrew Byrnes and Jane Connors. Toronto: Centre for Feminist Research, York University and the International Women's Rights Project, 2000
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Documents of Particular Interest to Hong Kong
SUBMISSIONS TO GOVERNMENT
SUBMISSIONS TO GOVERNMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and Hong Kong
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On 18 December 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It entered into force as an international treaty on 3 September 1981.
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The Convention has applied to Hong Kong since 14 October 1996, when the United Kingdom Government extended the Convention to the then dependent territory of Hong Kong. On 1 July 1997 the People's Republic of China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong, from that date the Convention has continued to apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region pursuant to the assumption by the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China of obligations under the Convention in relation to Hong Kong.
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The implementation of the Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which consists of 23 independent experts.
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At least every four years the States Parties are expected to submit a national report to the Committee indicating the measures they have adopted to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. During its sessions the Committee members discuss these reports with Government representatives and explore with them areas for further action by the specific country.
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The Committee met for its 20th session in New York from 19 January – 5 February 1999. The Government of the People's Republic of China submitted its first report on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to the Committee late October 1998. The Committee considered the Government report, along with shadow reports submitted by NGOs during a hearing from 1 – 2 February 1999.
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The Application of the Convention on All Forms of Discrimination against Women to Hong Kong
• The Resumption of Sovereignty over Hong Kong by the PRC, 1 July 1997
RIGHTS TALKS
Building a Women's Movement to Defend Human Rights, by Mu Sochua, 25 March 2011
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Young Women's Participation in Politics & Decision Making, by Elizabeth Wong, 25 March 2011
TRAINING
27-29 MARCH 2003
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TRAINING ON THE CONVENTION ON ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
Organized by CCPL, The Women’s Studies Research Centre at the University of Hong Kong and the Equal Opportunities Commission
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Workshop Leader:
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Ms. Shanthi Dairiam, International Women’s Rights Action Watch – Asia Pacific
This workshop aimed to create awareness among women of the obligations of the state in ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (the Convention) and to develop their skills to apply the principles of the Convention in planning for the advancement of women.
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Specific objectives included:
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Raising awareness about the significance of the CEDAW Convention as an instrument to plan development and access rights for women through law and policy reform.
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Creating clarity on key concepts and principles pertaining to women’s rights advocated by the Convention: equality, non-discrimination and State obligations under treaty law.
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Providing knowledge and skills in the practical application of the principles of the Convention in priority sectors in order to develop a comprehensive approach to women’s development.
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Providing information on the procedures by which the Convention is monitored by the CEDAW Committee at the United Nations level and discuss the following:
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The purpose of reporting and key elements of a CEDAW report
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The initial report of Hong Kong reviewed in 2000 and the Concluding Comments of the CEDAW Committee
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Issues pertaining to the implementation of the Convention in Hong Kong.
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Making plans for follow-up action.
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TOPICS, SESSIONS & DOCUMENTS
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Topic 1: Treaty Law
Session 1: The distinction and links between treaties and world conference plans of action
Session 2: The human rights system to promote women's rights in the United Nations
Topic 2: The CEDAW Convention: Key features and underlying concepts
Session 3: The history and key features of the CEDAW Convention
Session 4: The social construction of gender and institutions and inequality
Session 5: Towards substantive equality
Session 6: The principle of non-discrimination
Session 7: The principle of state obligation
Topic 3: Skills in the application of the CEDAW Convention
Session 8: Application of the Women's Convention
Topic 4: UN Procedures for monitoring the implementation of the CEDAW Convention
Session 9: The reporting process and its significance
Topic 5: Issues pertaining to the implementation of the CEDAW Convention in Hong Kong
Session 10: Implementation of the Convention in Hong Kong:
(i) Overview of the human rights situation in Hong Kong: impediments to the implementation of the Convention and solutions
(ii) The status of the Concluding Comments on Hong Kong, including comments on implementation in Hong Kong by the government, steps taken, problems and solutions including the setting up of the Women's Commission
Session 11: Assessing the outline of the 2nd report of Hong Kong and planning the next steps