Long trousers rule for female inmates faces challenge
A policy by the Correctional Services Department requiring women on remand to wear long trousers while being engaged in daytime activities in the summer is facing a legal challenge. Chow Hang-tung, former vice-chairwoman of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, submitted a writ to the High Court last week, arguing that the move amounted to sex discrimination.  She also noted that it disregarded the health of women on remand. Chow is seeking a judicial review regarding the matter. Chow, who's been remanded in Tai Lam Centre for Women since September 2021, said her request on wearing shorts or thinner bottoms was rejected earlier. According to the writ, the living conditions of male and female inmates were similar, yet their clothing requirements differed. Chow also argued that the requirement "fundamentally disregards" the health of female inmates, adding that the Observatory issued more than 50 "very hot days" annually in the previous three years.  "Most of the very hot days happened from May to September every year. Yet, the male [persons on remand] could wear shorts in those months whilst female [persons on remand] still need to wear trousers despite the obvious trend of having a lot more very hot days," the writ read.