The United Nations has questioned the first post-handover women's rights report by the Government.
A UN working group last week mapped out a list of 29 queries under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
A copy obtained by the Post showed the UN was concerned if discrimination tolerated by the Government was inconsistent with the Basic Law and the Bill of Rights.
It asked if there were plans to set up a high-level office in the administration to implement the convention and incorporate gender issues into its policies.
Officials also were required to make clear a plan to remove the reservations within a given timetable.
Other queries include policies on abortion, cohabitation, women's land rights in the New Territories, age discrimination and migrant workers' benefits.
The small percentage of female appointees in government advisory bodies and the participation of women in politics and the public sector were also questioned.
