Setting up an impartial all-citizens retirement welfare plan to alleviate the poverty problem of women
Household work contributes greatly to the development of a society; and housewives have all along been undertaking this important task dutifully but without any remuneration. The present Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme does not cater for housewives. The total absence of any retirement benefit scheme for this category of citizens has resulted in many of these women left in a state of poverty and helplessness after they become old. In our opinion, the HKSAR government should recognise their social status as well as their contributions to the society and set up an all-citizens retirement welfare plan to provide protection to housewives living beyond retirement age and ensure that they would continue to live at a reasonable standard of living at old age.

Increasing the percentage of women appointed to the advisory mechanism
The percentage of women members in the public advisory mechanism is at present considerably low. HKFW hopes that the percentage of women members in advisory bodies can be increased to the current international acceptable minimum standard of 30%. The government should also provide opportunities to women of all walks of lives especially those in the middle class, and should seek to identify more female talents and promote women's involvement in local community service as well as public affairs.

Introducing a "Family-Oriented Employment Policy"
To encourage women with a family to continue to pursue their careers and be financially independent, the government should initiate policies such as "Family-Oriented Employment Policy" and encourage the private sector to follow suit. Examples of family-oriented policies are provision of flexible working hours and workplaces, and setting up of childcare centres at or near workplace. This support to working women would allow women to fully utilize their talents and capabilities in their jobs.

Including housewives in further education sponsorship programmes
We recommend that the "Further Education Funds" entitlement should be widened to cover housewives. This would enable housewives to further their studies and continue to improve their personal qualities. More self-enhancement courses should be made available locally to equip women with a life-long learning attitude.

Encouraging female entrepreneurship and independence
The government should consider setting up a "Micro Business Loan" plan to provide small loans to female entrepreneurs and create a more favourable business environment for these women through technological support. These would encourage housewives to re-join the job market, alleviate the female unemployment situation and encourage women to rediscover their self worth and potentials, hence providing a new workforce for economic growth.

Abolishing estate duty
The rich and famous have long transferred their financial assets overseas, while survived widows in the middle class have to endure tremendous difficulties and inconvenience as a result of the estate duty. Therefore abolishing the estate duty will eliminate capital outflow and increase investments and promote economic development.