Democrats Demand Boost To Childcare Services

Around a dozen members of the Democratic Party held a protest outside the government's headquarters on Wednesday, calling for more childcare centres to be set up across the territory.

They said a lack of facilities is putting mothers off from going back to work.

A lawmaker from the party, Helena Wong, said the administration should provide more childcare services in new development areas, public housing estates, and government buildings.

Wong said because of the shortage of places, mothers from low-income families who cannot afford to hire a domestic helper are not able to continue in work, and have no choice but to stay at home and take care of their children.

Ahead of International Women's Day on Friday, the party also urged the government to help pay for regular health checks for women.

Separately, at a press conference, Wong urged the government to introduce laws to protect breastfeeding mothers from any kind of harassment.

The administration is planning to amend the Sex Discrimination Ordinance to cover breastfeeding women. But Wong said the proposed changes are not good enough, because they only offer protection under specific settings, such as in workplaces or in schools.

"If this happens only in a bus or in a taxi, or in an MTR train, it's not entirely sure that you can get the protection," she said.