More breastfeeding facilities needed, says Macau Women’s Commission

The Macau Women’s Commission (CCAM) has advocated for an increase in the number of female bathrooms and breastfeeding facilities, particularly in public services and departments. After conducting its regular meeting yesterday, the Commission’s secretary general, Lam Pui Seong, stressed that “there is an increasing number of women deciding to breastfeed their child.”
In a press conference, Ms Seong noted that members of the Commission encourage women to breastfeed. Therefore, they stressed, there is a need for more breastfeeding facilities, especially in public services.
Furthermore, the Commission is advocating for an increase in the number of public female bathrooms, since “women take longer than men” when using these facilities.
Ms Seong said that the Commission is willing to continue their collaboration with public departments for the establishment of more women-related facilities, such as breastfeeding rooms or bathrooms. They believe that while they renovate facilities such as the ferry terminal or the airport, the government should take this matter into account.
The Commission’s secretary general said that they considered it reasonable that for every one bathroom for men there should be at least three bathrooms provided for women.
Members of the Commission have also discussed the ideal age for women to have children. They encourage women to have their first child sooner rather than later, since their health is in a better state when they’re around 26 years old.
Ms Seong added that the age of first time mothers is 26.7 on average, “which is a positive age” to have children.
The Commission said it has been gathering a database of information on women-related matters in Macau. It will provide information on eight main topics, including women’s relationship with the economy, politics, violence and health, among others.
Ms Seong revealed that more women in Macau are now involved in politics. “In the past, women paid more attention to family and did not engage as much in politics. But fortunately we can see that there are more women serving in political positions or in leading roles,” she said.
The Commission’s head stressed that the number of women in political roles has grown. “Even the number of women serving as lawmakers has increased,” she reiterated. However, she acknowledged that Macau ranked tenth in a Gender Inequality Index.

Indecent assault should be classed a semi-public crime

Macau Women’s Commission member Wong Man I said that members have discussed and agreed that indecent assault should be classed as a semi-public crime. The government will launch a public consultation on the matter next year and Commission members argue that it would work better as a semi-public offense, since “not all victims are willing to testify in court.” A semi-public offense requires the victim to seek legal action against the suspected aggressor.
When queried about the Domestic Violence Bill currently being drafted by Macau’s government, the Commission said that, more importantly than stating whether it should be listed as a public or semi-public crime, it is imperative that the bill is tabled as soon as possible.