2011 Population Census
| Bureau / Department | Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) |
|---|---|
| Objective | To conduct a population census in 2011. |
| Content | Conducted during 30 June to 2 August 2011, the 2011 Population Census (11C) aims to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution in Hong Kong. A multi-modal data collection approach has been adopted in the 11C under which the data collection process will be divided into two phases. In the first phase from 30 June to 15 July 2011, households are encouraged to choose the self-enumeration mode by postal return (applicable to short form questionnaire only) or through submission of an e-questionnaire online. For the remaining households not choosing the self-enumeration mode, C&SD will arrange census officers to conduct face-to-face interviews in the second phase from 16 July to 2 August 2011. Some 18 300 temporary field workers have been engaged to support the data collection work through field visits and handle telephone enquiries. More details are available from the 11C website (www.census2011.gov.hk). |
| Groups / Persons Affected | Respondents, temporary field workers and field staff of C&SD. |
| Impact | The Gender Mainstreaming Checklist was applied in four areas, namely questionnaire, recruitment, training and publicity. Questionnaire Extensive consultations were conducted with various parties on the design of the questionnaires. By applying gender mainstreaming in the questionnaire design process, questions were reviewed thoroughly so as to ensure the quality and gender neutrality of the data collected. For example, it is highlighted in the questionnaires that the "household head" could be any member, whether male or female, in the household in order to avoid misunderstanding or misinterpretation that "household head" is gender specific. Furthermore, the relevant concepts are explained clearly to respondents during the data collection process and multiple "household heads" are also allowed. Recruitment A total of 18 300 temporary field workers (TFW) have been engaged in the 11C. The target manpower supplies are teachers of primary and secondary schools as well as post-secondary and Secondary 6 students. In the past censuses / by-censuses and the 11C, objective criteria have been used in the selection of suitable candidates, such as working experience in past censuses/by-censuses and performance in the selection process, and gender of the applicants is not a selection criterion. According to the selection results, the proportions of male and female applicants were about the same for both teachers and students throughout the selection and appointment process. Training A dedicated programme was designed and implemented to train up the TFW. In the training materials, such as training video and manuals for the TFW, gender specific points for attention were included. For example, the training video conveyed the message that it was inappropriate for female enumerators to wear fashion accessories during field visits. Furthermore, C&SD invited the Police Force to conduct a crime prevention briefing to the field staff. The briefing covered different points to note for male and female enumerators such as fieldwork dressing code of female enumerators and the style of conversation of male enumerators etc. Applying gender mainstreaming in the training programme helped deliver the concepts of 2011 Population Census to both the female and male TFW more effectively and hence facilitating them in completing their tasks more efficiently. Moreover, the training programme could serve to instill the concept of gender mainstreaming to teachers and post-secondary and Secondary 6 students. Publicity In the design and implementation of the publicity activities, including posters, pamphlets, television and radio's announcement in the public interests, press releases, advertisements and press conferences, etc., different genders' points of view have been taken into account, and gender bias as well as inequality have been precluded. Furthermore, relevant messages would be conveyed to different community groups, including both women and men. |
| Success Factor / Lessons Learned | A Working Group on Gender Mainstreaming, chaired by a Directorate Officer and comprised middle management representatives from various statistical divisions and administrative branch in C&SD, was formed in C&SD in June 2005 with the following terms of reference –
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