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Programme (CBMP). This programme is designed to encour-
age women of different backgrounds and educational levels to
pursue life-long learning and self-development. Courses are
conducted flexibly in three modes through face-to-face class-
room lessons, radio broadcast and e-learning on the Internet,
supplemented with optional learning activities.
The CBMP courses cover a wide range of topics including
health, financial management, interpersonal relationships and
communication skills, as well as other practical day-to-day
issues. The CBMP is run jointly by the Open University of Hong
Kong and a commercial radio station. Over 80 women’s groups
and NGOs collaborate in conducting face-to-face courses and
optional learning activities. Since its establishment in 2004, the
CBMP has recorded a cumulative enrolment of over 87,000.
To further promote the culture of lifelong learning and main-
tain a peer support network, the Capacity Building Mileage
Programme Student Association was established in October
2008, and there are now around 430 members.
In 2011, the commission launched the Funding Scheme for
Women’s Development to provide funding support to women’s
groups and relevant NGOs for organizing programmes and
activities conducive to women’s development. The funding
scheme comprises a total of HK$2 million every year, half of
which is allocated by the commission to women’s groups and
relevant NGOs organizing regional or territory-wide activi-
ties; and the other half is distributed through the 18 district
councils to women’s groups and relevant NGOs in organizing
district level activities.The theme for the funding scheme in
2012 and 2013 was ‘WomenWellness’. The theme was changed
to ‘Women Employment’ in 2014 and 2015. Since the launch of
the funding scheme, the commission has funded 86 women’s
groups and NGOs to organize around 200 programmes in
promoting women wellness and women employment.
The commission conducts research and surveys from time to
time to gain a better understanding of women’s needs and issues
that concern them, and to shed light on policy formulations that
might impact on women. From September to December 2013,
the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the commission tasked the
Census and Statistics Department to conduct a survey on time-
use patterns and women’s employment to help understand the
time-use patterns and time allocation for women and men in
Hong Kong in undertaking paid work, homemaking and social
services, and so on. The survey also aimed to record women’s
concerns and needs as they leave or re-enter the job market.
Over 10,000 households were interviewed in the survey and
some 26,000 persons participated in it. The survey findings,
announced in July 2015, have served as a useful reference
for NGOs, employers in the private sector, as well as for the
Government in formulating relevant policies, employment
practices and other related measures.
The Women’s Commission cherishes its partnership with
women’s groups in Hong Kong and overseas. Working in
concert with the Government and men and women in the local
community, the commission remains fully committed to driving
its mission of enabling women to fully realize their due status,
rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
Funded by the Funding Scheme for Women’s Development, a training workshop on floral art was organized to enhance women’s employability
Image: The Hong Kong Southern District Community Women’s Association
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