Women’s Commission delegation to visit Good Shepherd Sisters

To have a better understanding of the local community services for women in Macao, a delegation of the Women’s Commission, led by the Secretary for the Administration and Justice, Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, visited the Good Shepherd Sisters and its Women’s Mutual Help Centre this afternoon. The delegation of the Women’s Commission arriving at the Good Shepherd Sisters was greeted by Sr Suzanne Devoy, Social Service Officer Lai Choi In and Service Development Executive Tam Chi Neng. The delegates were briefed by Sr Suzanne Devoy on the services provided by the organisation, and also interacted with the front line staff and shared their views on the challenges and problems related to their work. The visiting group then headed for the Good Shepherd Sisters Women’s Mutual Help Centre which is responsible for external relations, and was warmly received by the Centre In-charge Kou Wai Kun and Social Service Officer Tam Ha Hong. They introduced to the commission members the operations of the centre, enabling the delegates to have a better idea of the service nature of the centre and the women’s community services available in Macao. The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and a group photo session. Secretary for the Administration and Justice Florinda Chan highly recognises the long term commitment of Good Shepherd Sisters in providing assistance to women. She emphasised that the joint effort of the Macao SAR government and the local community was critical for protecting women’s rights. The MSAR government has long accorded a high priority to women affairs. With the establishment of the Women’s Commission, the women-related policies, rights, legal matters, education and relevant publicity and promotion work can be actively and thoroughly followed up. Sr Suzanne Devoy and the Good Shepherd Sisters Women’s Mutual Help Centre have also actively assisted in and contributed their constructive opinions on the preparatory work of the legislation. Ms Chan pointed out that women in Macao are under the protection of the Basic Law and other laws. In addition, international covenants protecting women are also applicable in Macao. However, there are still existing cases of women suffering from unfair treatment or violence threat, which should be condemned under moral principles or subject to punishment under the law. She said that as the Law against Human Trafficking has come into effect for more effectively combating human trafficking-related crimes in Macao, the administration authorities will by all means protect and provide assistance to victims of crime. At the same time, the Women’s Commission has also established a special unit to conduct relevant studies, organise seminars on legal matters, and pay visits to the Public Security Police and the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee to exchange views on women’s rights and domestic violence. The Good Shepherd Sisters and its Women’s Mutual Help Centre is a non-profit Catholic sister organisation under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Macao, providing community services mainly to women and children from single-parent families and those in special needs. The aim of its establishment is to assist women in enhancing self-respect and self-confidence through counselling services and a variety of activities, which facilitate the building of community support network, the development of individual potential, the widening of spiritual living space and the improvement of family life for an abundant life. Delegates also included the Secretary-General of the Women’s Commission Tang Wai Lin, and commission members Van Iat Kio, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Kong Mei Fan, Sam Iok Ha, Chao Ngai, Chio Ngan Ieng, Ling Paula Hsião Yun, Anabela Fátima Xavier Sales Ritchie, Chan Sao Chai, Lao Mui Kuai, Cheang Man Man, Lou I Wa and Wong Man I.