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Gender Focal Point Networks

Gender Focal Point Network in Bureaux and Departments

At present, each bureau and department has designated a "Gender Focal Point" (GFP). Majority of the GFPs are directorate officers. They serve as the contact and resource persons within their organisations and are tasked to help raise awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, and promote the application of the Gender Mainstreaming Checklist or the concept in the daily work of their staff. Specifically, they perform the following roles and functions:

  1. Liaison
    • Serve as the contact point within the bureau or department concerned and with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau on gender-related issues; and
    • Collect and reflect views and concerns of the bureau or department concerned on various gender mainstreaming initiatives.
  2. Promotion
    • Promote gender mainstreaming in policy and programme formulation process. Help encourage the application of Gender Mainstreaming Checklist or the gender mainstreaming concept and the implementation of any other gender mainstreaming initiatives within the bureau or department concerned; and
    • Raise awareness and understanding of gender mainstreaming within the bureau or department; bring to colleagues' attention emerging gender issues or events (e.g. seminars and talks) that are of relevance to them.
  3. Resource Person
    • Serve as the resource person on gender-related issues within the bureau and department concerned; and
    • Introduce gender mainstreaming to the colleagues in the bureau or department and be informed of gender issues for supporting the implementation of gender mainstreaming by his / her colleagues.

Gender Focal Point Network in District Councils

In end 2008, the Women’s Commission (WoC) established a Gender Focal Point Network in District Councils (DCs). Each of the 18 DCs appointed a district council member as the GFP to promote gender mainstreaming to community level and enhance the collaboration and communication between the WoC and District Councils.

Gender Focal Point Network in Social Welfare Sector

In 2016, the Government established the Gender Focal Point Network in Social Welfare Sector and suggested each non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the social welfare sector appointing a managerial staff as the GFP. The GFP is responsible for promoting the Gender Mainstreaming Checklist and the gender mainstreaming concept, and serves as the contact point between the NGO and the Government / WoC on gender-related issues. At present, some 120 NGOs in social welfare sector appointed GFP.

Gender Focal Point Network among Listed Companies

To further raise the awareness of gender mainstreaming among private sectors, the Government and the WoC set up the Gender Focal Point Network among Listed Companies at end 2016. Listed companies are encouraged to join the Network by nominating a representative (at director level or equivalent) to be the GFP for the company. The GFPs would help raise awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, and promote the gender sensitivity concept in the daily work of their staff. They will also serve as the contact and resource person for communication and collaboration on gender-related matters between the company and the Government / WoC. At present, some 170 listed companies appointed GFP.