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C. Minorities from South Asia and Foreign Hong Kong Sunday was celebrated on July 6, 2003.

Domestic Workers The theme was "After the Storm, Wait for the Rainbow -
God's Love is Always Present". The sermon outline was
Being aware of the needs of minorities from South
prepared by Rev. Yung Chuen-hung.
Asia, particularly Nepalese and Pakistani, the Committee
organized a seminar on services to people from South Asia
F. Participation in Regional Meetings
for re p re sen ta tive s from d iffe re n t social service
organizations. The seminar was held on January 18, 2003. Miss Lai Tak-yin of St. John's Cathedral HIV
30 persons attended. Education Centre attended the AIDS Conference organized
On May 12, 2003 a meeting was held to highlight the by the Christian Conference of Asia, which took place in
problem of young Nepalese who have become drug addicts. Chian Rai, Thailand from November 22-27, 2002.
The staff continued to be involved in the management Captain Sara Tam Mei-shun of the Salvation Army,
of two shelters for foreign domestic helpers who are awaiting Miss Devi Novianti of Christian Action and Miss Yip Siu-kan
resolution of their disputes with employers. of the Hong Kong YWCA attended the Sixth Human Rights
Training Programme of the Christian Conference of Asia, which
was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from December 8-13,2002.
Shelters for Domestic Helpers
G. Church Women's Work

(i) Research on Conditions of Service of Men and Women
Church Workers
The Gender Research Centre of the Institute of Asia-
Pacific Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong was
commissioned to carry out the research. Altogether 773
questionnaires were returned. In addition a focus group
interview with six church workers was conducted. The report

was completed in November 2002 and published in
D. Social Policy December 2002 on the occasion of a public forum.

The C o m m itte e e x p re sse d its vie w s on (ii) Pamphlet on Gender Equality in the Church
unemployment benefits and changes to Comprehensive Using examples from church life and illustrations, the
Social Security Assistance. After approval by the Executive pamphlet encourages church council members and ministers
Committee, they were forwarded to the Health, Welfare and to implement gender equality in the church and to comply
Food Bureau. with the law. After gathering the views of ministers, Christian
Jointly with many other organizations, the Committee lawyers, and the Equal Opportunities Commission, the
opposed the cut in Com prehensive Social Security pamphlet was published in June 2003 and sent to the church

Assistance. councilors and ministers of all Hong Kong congregations.
(iii) Seminars and Workshops for Women
E. Special Sundays Due to rapid social change during the past years,
women face different economic, social and family disruptions
During the past year the Cornmittee prepared material
and pressures. Marriages are endangered, changes in the
for two special Sundays. Environm ent Sunday was
celebrated on June 1,2003 with the theme "Waters of Life- economy impose pressures, people suffer from poverty and
Enough for All". The material was prepared by "Christians negative equity, single parent families and single women
face their particular problems. All these cause women to
for Eco-Concerns".

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