ALLEN AU-YEUNG ALLEN.AUYEUNG@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Monday, 21 September, 2015, 1:24pm
UPDATED : Monday, 21 September, 2015, 1:46pm
The number of new mothers in the city breastfeeding their babies increased to 86 per cent last year. Photo: SCMP Pictures
A policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong allowing women staff members to take breaks for breastfeeding has been criticised by internet users as being unfair to men.
In an effort to make the campus more family friendly, the university has implemented a policy offering mothers two 30-minute lactation breaks a day.
But users of online forums have called the policy discriminatory. One user of CUHK Secrets, a Facebook forum, said the policy unfairly favoured women.
Read more: Breastfeeding at an all-time high among Hong Kong's new mums
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is allowing women staff members to take breaks for breastfeeding. Photo: SCMP Pictures
“Do you think this is fair? Men and women get the same salary and women get to work one hour less,” the user said on the forum. “Why does no one ever stand up to overturn such a system that is unjust to men?”
The post went viral and became the subject of a backlash from other Facebook users.
“Try exchanging your place with me … You get pregnant, you deliver the baby and you do the breastfeeding instead,” said Avarie Chan, a Facebook user.
Another user named Jovy Fan said: “Hong Kong men are becoming unmanly ... Try claiming back the money I have spent on buying tampons my whole life!”
Currently, 57 per cent of staff at Chinese University are female. To support staff who breastfeed, the university has set up four nursing rooms equipped with a wash basin and electrical sockets to power breast pumps.
Read more: Hong Kong lags behind in support for breastfeeding mothers
Under Hong Kong law, men are entitled to three days of statutory paternity leave.
The number of new mothers in the city breastfeeding their babies increased to 86 per cent last year, according to the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association.
However, studies have found many mothers do not continue breastfeeding after delivery due to of a lack of support in hospitals, workplaces or at home.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1860076/chinese-university-hong-kong-policy-offering-work
