Capacity Building Mileage Programme

A women's empowerment strategy emphasises the importance of increasing women's skills and their capacities to enhance their own self-reliance and internal strength. The Women's Commission believes that an essential aspect of this capacity building process lies in the provision of adequate and relevant education and training programmes to women. Shortly after the establishment of the Commission, it was reckoned that many existing programmes then were vocational and might not fully address women's needs or interests in terms of timing of classes, location, academic prerequisites and choices of subjects. The Commission therefore pioneered in March 2004 the Capacity Building Mileage Programme (CBMP) with an aim to fill the gap.

The CBMP is our key initiative in empowering women. It is designed to encourage women of different backgrounds and educational levels to pursue lifelong learning and self-development. It differs from conventional academic as well as vocational training. It aims to equip women with a positive mindset and enhance their inner strength so that they can cope with different life challenges, as well as experience the joy of learning and living. Courses are conducted in three delivery modes through face-to-face instruction, radio broadcast and e-learning, with supplementary learning activities.

The CBMP is Hong Kong's first large-scale, tailor-made and barrier-free learning programme with a focus on women. It is flexible, convenient and affordable. The CBMP is open to all Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above. No prior academic qualification is required for enrolment.

CBMP courses cover a wide range of topics in five learning domains, namely, “Personal Development Skills”, “Care and Health”, “Applied Science and Technology”, “Wisdom of Life” and “Arts and Culture”, to cater for the learning needs of women of diverse backgrounds and interests. Under the CBMP, women are encouraged to pursue learning in subjects of their interest at their own pace and time, with a view to enhancing their abilities and knowledge, as well as widening their social circles.

The CBMP is jointly run by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (formerly The Open University of Hong Kong) and a media partner. The Commission maintains close liaison with the above two parties to provide strategic guidance to the programme, as well as to monitor its progress and effectiveness. More than 80 women's groups and non-governmental organisations collaborate in conducting face-to-face courses and learning activities for CBMP participants.

The Capacity Building Mileage Programme Student Association (CBMPSA) was founded in October 2008 to broaden the horizons of CBMP participants. Through regular activities and volunteer services, CBMP participants promote the spirit of “self-learning and learning from each other” and contribute to the society.

More information about the CBMP can be obtained from the programme's website, or by calling the hotline at 2915 2380.