Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women’s Commission celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 (with photos)
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The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, today (March 8) officiated at a reception to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 hosted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Women’s Commission (WoC).
The reception was attended by members of the WoC, representatives from women’s groups, non-governmental organisations and the local community. Thematic panels were set up at the reception to showcase the efforts made by the Government and the WoC in promoting women’s development.
In his speech, Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong, as an international metropolis, offers equal opportunities for development to all, regardless of gender. He added that Hong Kong women have long been the pillars of their families and important drivers that fuel the progress of society, contributing significantly to the prosperity of the city.
He said, “The promotion of women’s development is of paramount importance. The Government attaches importance to women’s benefits and well-being. Together with the Women’s Commission, we will continue our concerted efforts in promoting women’s development and writing a new chapter in women’s advancement.” Mr Lee extended his warm wishes for Hong Kong women to embody the fragrant virtues of the bauhinia, upholding good family values; to stand tall as kapok trees in scaling new professional heights; and to bloom with the resilient spirit of winter plum blossoms in telling the good story of Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said at the reception that the HYAB has made significant achievements in promoting women’s development over the past year, including holding the first Family and Women Development Summit and launching the one-stop family and women information portal. The Women Empowerment Fund, set up in June 2023, has approved over 240 projects to empower women to realise their full potentials. In addition, the HYAB will launch the “She Inspires” mentorship programme in the second quarter of this year, matching local female university students with female leaders as their mentors, and has received overwhelming support from outstanding women leaders in Hong Kong.
She said, “For the past three decades, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has unswervingly implemented the principles of the United Nations’ Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and uphold the provisions under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, making remarkable achievements in women’s development.” She added that the HYAB will continue to work together with all sectors of society to enable women in Hong Kong to fully realise their due status, rights and opportunities in all aspects of life.
Also officiating at the reception were Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Liu Guangyuan; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Pan Yundong; Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Senior Colonel Wang Zhixue; Deputy Director of the liaison office of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Xie Zhixiang; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung; the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mabel Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam.