A few years ago, independent legislator Christine Loh Kung-wai had no idea about the extent of sexual inequality in the territory.
Her awakening came, she says, when she discovered the 'blatant form of discrimination' that women in the New Territories had long put up with. That, of course, was the customary practice there of denying women their right to inherit properties.
An appointed legislator then, Ms Loh took on the male rural leaders when she called for an amendment to the New Territories Land (Exemption) Bill in early 1994, to stop the practice under which indigenous residents leave land only to male relatives.
She remained defiant in the face of violent opposition from male clan leaders who even issued threats to her when she proposed to visit women in two villages.
She went unharmed in the end, together with fellow legislators Emily Lau Wai-hing and Peggy Lam Pei Yu-dja, and her amendment was finally passed.
Today, she is a staunch fighter for women's rights. There has been increased awareness and support for individual rights over the past few years, she believes, following the controversy over her call for extending land inheritance rights to New Territories women, and the building of a hostel for mentally handicapped people in a public housing estate.
