13. The Committee expresses concern over the situation of women in Hong Kong, particularly the high level of violence and the absence of adequate punitive or remedial measures. It regrets that the Sexual Discrimination Ordinance is not yet in force and that it limits the damages awarded to women who are subject to sexual discrimination and does not give power to direct the reinstatement of women who have lost their jobs due to sexual discrimination. The Committee is also concerned that the Sexual Discrimination Ordinance has significant exemptions and that it is limited in its application to discrimination based on gender and marriage and does not prohibit discrimination on ground of age, family responsibility or sexual preference.
23. The Committee recommends that the deficiencies in the Sexual Discrimination Ordinance be overcome by appropriate amendments and that comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation aiming at eliminating all remaining discrimination prohibited under the Covenant be adopted.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-UK (Hong Kong)-1995-eng
