International Women's Day
International Women's Day (8 March every year) is a valuable opportunity for the Women's Commission to raise public awareness on various issues of common concern to women. Over the years, we have repeatedly used these occasions to help draw more attention to gender issues in the local community.
The Women’s Commission (the Commission) held a reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and International Women’s Day (IWD) 2019 on 8 March 2019 at the Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong. The reception was attended by representatives from local women’s groups, non-governmental organisations, the business sector and members of the Commission’s Gender Focal Point Network.
Officiating at the reception were the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Xie Feng; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr He Jing; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Chang King-yiu; and the Chairperson of the Women’s Commission, Ms Chan Yuen-han.
Exhibition panels were set up at the reception to feature the Commission’s major work in recent years. Thematic panels were also set up to review women’s development in the country and the participation of Hong Kong women.
The Women’s Commission (the Commission) held a reception to celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8 March 2018 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong. The reception was attended by representatives from local women’s groups, non-governmental organisations, the business sector and the commission’s Gender Focal Point Network.
Officiating at the reception were the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Xie Feng; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Ms Qiu Hong; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong; and the Vice-Chairperson of the Women’s Commission and Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Chang King-yiu.
Prior to the reception, a prize presentation ceremony was held for the “Her Voice” Video Competition co-organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Commission to promote the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of the United Nations among secondary school students. Over 100 entries were received, showing students’ creative productions on the advancement and challenges of women’s development.
Taking the opportunity of celebrating the International Women’s Day, the Commission published the International Women’s Day news supplements on various newspapers featuring its major work in the previous year, and the publicity brochures listing women-related activities held in early 2018 organised by various organisations and community groups.
The Women's Commission (the Commission) held a reception to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2017 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong. More than 400 representatives from local women groups, non-governmental organisations, the business sector, government bureaux/departments and the Gender Focal Point Network attended
Officiating at the event were The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, and his wife, Mrs Regina Leung, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Ms Yin Xiaojing; the Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, Madame Tong Xiaoling; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Stephen Sui; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Annie Tam; and the Chairperson of the Women's Commission, Mrs Stella Lau.
Taking the opportunity of celebrating the International Women's Day, the Commission also set up a mini-exhibition featuring its major work in recent years at the reception venue, and published a brochure listing women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2017.
The Women's Commission (the Commission) held a reception, attended by around 500 representatives from local women groups and the various sectors, to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2016 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong.
Officiating at the reception were the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, and his wife Mrs Regina Leung; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam; Deputy Minister of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Yang Jian; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Madam Tong Xiaoling; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Miss Annie Tam; and the Chairperson of the Women's Commission, Mrs Stella Lau.
At the reception, certificates of appointment were presented to the District Council Gender Focal Points by the Chief Executive and his wife. A preview of highlights of the TV series "Women with Dreams 5", jointly produced by the Commission and the Radio Television Hong Kong, was launched. A mini-exhibition which covered the major work of the Commission in recent years and the drama photos and synopsis of the TV series was also held.
Taking the opportunity of celebrating the International Women's Day, the Commission published the publicity brochures, listing women-related activities held around March 2016 organised by various organisations and community groups.
The Women's Commission held a reception, attended by around 400 representatives from local women groups and the various sectors, to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2015 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong.
Officiating at the event were Mrs Stella Lau, Chairperson of the Women's Commission; Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration; Madame Tong Xiaoling, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Liao Xun, Deputy Director General of Coordination Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Miss Annie Tam, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
The Commission also set up a mini-exhibition featuring its major work in the previous year. For instances, in collaboration with the Government as appropriate, it promoted gender mainstreaming, enhanced women's participation in the Government's advisory and statutory bodies, assisted in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and launched the Women Employment Website.
Taking the opportunity of celebrating the International Women's Day, the Commission published the International Women's Day news supplements on four Chinese and one English newspapers, and the publicity brochures listing women-related activities held around March 2015 organised by various organisations and community groups, to arouse the public's awareness on gender issues.
The Women’s Commission held a reception to celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8 March 2014 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong.
The new Television Announcement in the Public Interest on Capacity Building Mileage Programme was launched. A mini-exhibition to mark the 10th anniversary of the Capacity Building Mileage Programme was also held. A short video series for the occasion, in which students shared their joyful experience in joining the Programme was shown as well.
Officiating at the event were Mrs Stella Lau, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission; Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration; Mr Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Liao Xun, Deputy Director General of Coordination Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Miss Annie Tam, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
International Women’s Day supplements placed with four Chinese and one English newspapers, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2014 were also published.
The Women’s Commission held a cocktail reception to celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8 March 2013 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong.
A Presentation Ceremony of the Gender Mainstreaming Award was also held on the same day to present Gender Mainstreaming Awards to bureaux and departments in recognition of their efforts in promoting gender mainstreaming. The Television Announcement in the Public Interest on Gender Mainstreaming was launched. An Exhibition on Gender Mainstreaming was also held to introduce gender mainstreaming and the efforts made by award-winning bureaux and departments in promoting gender mainstreaming.
Officiating at the event were Mrs Stella Lau, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission; Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration; Mr Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Liao Xun, Deputy Director General of Coordination Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Miss Annie Tam, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
International Women's Day supplement placed with four Chinese newspaper, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2013 were also published.
The Women’s Commission held a cocktail reception to celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8 March 2012 at the CGO Conference Hall, Central Government Offices, Tamar, Hong Kong.
An Exhibition on Women’s Groups and Services for Women was also held on the same day to introduce women’s groups and services they provide for women.
Officiating at the event were Mrs Stella Lau, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission; Mr Stephen Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration; Mr Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Guo Li, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Mrs Florence Lam, the wife of Chief Secretary for Administration; and Mr Patrick Nip, Director of Social Welfare.
Publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2012 were also published.
The Women’s Commission held a premiere of television series to celebrate the International Women’s Day and the 10th anniversary of the Commission on 8 March 2011 at Jockey Club Auditorium, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Officiating at the event were Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission; Mr Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Liao Xun, Deputy Director-General, Department of Cooperation, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare; and Mr Gordon Leung, Acting Director of Broadcasting.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary the Commission produced two television series in collaboration with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) to promote a better understanding of women’s development in Hong Kong, as well as to raise people’s concern about women’s issues. One of the two television series premiered comprises 10 episodes of five-minute programmes featuring various issues related to women. It is hosted by Ms Kay Tse. The other series consists of 10 episodes of drama and showcases contemporary challenges shared by women of different ages. It aims to portray the common experience among Hong Kong women of different age groups in the 21st century and raise the awareness of the society about prevailing issues. The drama series is scheduled for broadcast in October this year. The premiered episode, produced by Ms Heiward Mak, is the story of a woman who has chosen to reject gender stereotypes.
Ms Kay Tse, Ms Heiward Mak, and Senior Executive Producer of RTHK, Ms Sheila Cheung, shared with the audience at the premiere their experience in producing the television series.
International Women’s Day supplements placed with three Chinese and one English newspapers, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2011 were published.
The Women's Commission held a luncheon talk to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2010 at The Mira Hong Kong. ?The Commission adopted "Women's Participation – An Economic Development Imperative" as the theme of the reception and luncheon talk. ?Hon Leung Chun-ying, Mrs Margaret Leung Ko May-yee and Ms Eirene Yeung were the guest speakers to speak on the topic.
Officiating at the event were Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of the Women's Commission; Ms Guo Li, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
International Women's Day supplements placed with four Chinese and one English newspapers, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2010 were distributed at the reception. ?A radio publicity campaign was also launched around International Women's Day to remind the public about the special occasion and arouse awareness on various gender issues.
The Women's Commission held a luncheon talk to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2009 at The Mira Hong Kong. The Commission adopted "Women and Men: An Equal Partnership?" as the theme of the reception and luncheon talk. Ms Teresa Au, Hon Audrey Eu, Mr Frederick Ma and Mr Shih Wing-ching shared with participants their experiences in establishing equal partnership between women and men both at home and in the workplace.
Officiating at the event were Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of the Women's Commission; Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Sun A-qing, Deputy Director General of Cooperation Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
Publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2009 were distributed at the reception. International Women's Day supplements placed with three Chinese, one District and one English newspapers were published on 6 March 2009. A radio publicity campaign was also launched around International Women's Day to remind the public about the special occasion and arouse awareness on various gender issues.
The Women's Commission held a luncheon talk to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2008 at the Hong Kong Football Club. The Commission adopted "Women in Leadership" as the theme of the reception and luncheon talk. Ms Chan Yuen-han, Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Ms Connie Lau Yin-hing and Ms Mary Ma shared with participants their experience of being a women leader.
Officiating at the event were Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of the Women's Commission; Ms Guo Li, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; and Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare.
International Women's Day supplements placed with two Chinese and one English newspapers, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2008 were distributed. A radio publicity campaign was also launched around International Women's Day to remind the public about the special occasion and arouse awareness on various gender issues.
The Women's Commission held a reception to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2007 at the Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong City Hall. On the same occasion, the WoC kicked start a series of special activities, collectively named "Colorful Lives of Women" to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by giving recognition to the contribution of all sectors, in particular women's groups, in empowering women. Opportunity was also taken to announce the continuous operation of the Capacity Building Mileage Programme.
An Exhibition on Empowerment of Women and Women in Art was also held on the same day to highlight the contribution of local women's groups and non-governmental organisations in empowering women and to feature art and crafts work by women.
Officiating at the reception and ceremony were Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of the Women's Commission; Dr York Chow, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food; Ms Guo Li, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People s Government in the HKSAR; Ms Zhang Jingya; Ms Sandra Lee, Permanent Secretary for Health and Welfare; Mr Paul Tang, Director of Social Welfare; Mr Lee Luen-fai, Co-convenor of the Working Group on Public Education; and Ms Amy Wong, Director of External Affairs, Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Co Ltd.
Mr Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; Mr Henry Fan and Dr Leong Chi-hung, both Executive Council Members also attended the celebration.
International Women's Day supplements placed with four Chinese and one English newspapers, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2007 were distributed. A radio publicity campaign was also launched around International Women's Day to remind the public about the special occasion and arouse awareness on various gender issues.
The Women's Commission held a reception to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2006 at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library. On the same occasion, a mini-exhibition showcasing projects and programmes organised by women's organisations and community groups on women's contributions towards promoting family and social harmony was launched.
Officiating at the reception were Ms Sophia Kao, Chairperson of the Women's Commission; and Mrs Carrie Yau, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food.
Ms Guo Li, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Her Royal Highness Princess Loulwah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi; Mr Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; Mrs Carrie Lam, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs; Mrs Pamela Tan, Director of Home Affairs; Mr Paul Tang, Director of Social Welfare; and Ms Chang King-yiu, Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive's Office also attended the celebration.
International Women's Day supplements placed with four Chinese and one English newspapers, and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2006 were distributed. A radio publicity campaign was also launched around International Women's Day to remind the public about the special occasion and arouse awareness on various gender issues.
The Women's Commission held a reception to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2005 at the Government House Ballroom. On the same occasion, prizes were presented to winners of the "Women in Hong Kong: Harmony and Balance" Creative Competition. The competition, targeted at primary and secondary school students, was held in December 2004 to encourage and stimulate the younger generation to think more about women-related issues and express ideas on how they see the roles, challenges and barriers of women nowadays.
Officiating at the reception and ceremony were Professor Fanny Cheung, who delivered a welcoming speech on behalf of the WoC Chairperson; Dr York Chow, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food; Mrs Carrie YAU, Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food; Mr Andy Ho, Convenor of the Working Group on International Women's Day 2005; Ms Jacqueline Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Education City; Mr Chan Yiu wah, Head of Radio 2, Radio Television Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Education City and Radio 2, Radio Television Hong Kong were co-organisers of the "Women in Hong Kong: Harmony and Balance" Creative Competition.
Ms Elsie LEUNG, Secretary for Justice; Ms GUO Li, Deputy Director (Vice-Minister) of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Secretary Zhang Shi-ping from All-China Women's Federation; Mr Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury; and Mr Paul Tang, Director of Social Welfare also attended the celebration.
The Commission also took the opportunity to distribute International Women's Day supplements placed with four Chinese newspapers and publicity leaflets showing various women-related activities organised by various organisations and community groups around March 2005. This year, the Commission has aimed to promote celebration of the International Women's Day and expand the public's attention to women-related issues by encouraging individuals, groups and organisations in the community to organise activities, preferably with a theme on "harmony and balance for women". The information collected was compiled into the leaflet.
The Women's Commission held a reception to celebrate the International Women's Day on 8 March 2004 at the Government House Ballroom. On the same occasion, the Commission launched the "Capacity Building Mileage Programme", which was organised in partnership with The Open University of Hong Kong and Commercial Radio.
Officiating at the ceremony were Mrs Sophie LEUNG, Chairperson of Women's Commission; Dr YEOH Eng-kiong, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food; Dr Agnes YEUNG, Convener of the Steering Committee on Capacity Building Mileage Programme; Mrs Carrie YAU, Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food; Professor John LEONG, President of The Open University of Hong Kong; Mr Tony TSOI, Chief Operating Officer and Mr Lawrence CHENG, Chief Creative Officer of Commercial Radio.
Miss Elsie LEUNG, Secretary for Justice; Ms GUO Li, Deputy Director (Vice-Minister) of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; and artiste Miss Kelly CHEN attended the celebration.
The Commission also took the opportunity to launch the new features of its enhanced web site, "Women Services Directory" and "News Exchange Forum", as well as to distribute the first Women's Commission Report, International Women's Day supplements issued on six Chinese newspapers and DVD of TV drama series "Women with Dreams II" jointly produced with Radio Television Hong Kong.
The Women's Commission held a reception to celebrate with guests from women's groups and various sectors of the community the International Women's Day 2003 on 1 March 2003 at the Hong Kong Central Library. On the same occasion, the Commission presented prizes to winners of "The New Sky of Modern Women" Essay Competition held earlier to promote public awareness of women's internal strength and potential.
The Commission took the opportunity to launch its latest television announcement of public interest "Women, the gravity that gathers strength" and its revamped web site, as well as to distribute VCD of TV drama series "Women with Dreams" jointly produced by WoC and Radio Television Hong Kong to further promote empowerment of women.
Officiating at the ceremony were the Chairperson of the Women's Commission, Mrs Sophie Leung; the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr EK Yeoh; and the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau. The Secretary for Justice, Miss Elsie Leung, the Chairperson of Legislative Council, Mrs Rita Fan and Director of Social Welfare, Mrs Carrie Lam also attended the celebration.
The Women's Commission held a reception to celebrate with guests from women's groups, service agencies and various sectors of the community the International Women's Day 2002 on 8 March 2002 at the Hong Kong Central Library. On the same occasion, the Commission kicked off a multi-faceted public education and publicity campaign. The launching ceremony, taking place on the International Women's Day, had taken on special meaning. The Commission appealed to the community to recognize the contributions made by women and pay tribute to their remarkable efforts and achievements made over time. The campaign started off with launch of an Announcement of Public Interest with the theme on "Towards due recognition of women".
The Women's Commission hosted a cocktail reception at Government House to celebrate the International Women's Day on 1 March 2001. More than 300 personalities from a wide spectrum of the community attended. The occasion provided a good opportunity for networking among prominent women leaders and representatives of local women's groups.