“She Power” Shaping the Future
Achievements and Aspirations of Women in Hong Kong Today
Thanks to universal education and economic achievements, women in Hong Kong have long broken free from traditional constraints. Today, they are not only pillars of their families but also a vital force driving social progress. Whether in the family, the workplace, the public affairs arena or on the international stage, women in Hong Kong have demonstrated outstanding capabilities and have shouldered essential roles across diverse sectors.
In this feature interview, we have invited the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, to share the Government’s efforts and policy directions in promoting women’s development, and her insights on how women in Hong Kong can continue to carry forward and pass on the strengths of “She Power” in the new era.
Professional Fields: From Breaking Barriers to Leading the Future
In recent years, women have been making significant strides in various professional sectors and leadership roles. In particular, the number of female practitioners in the legal and accounting professions has been on the rise. Today, women account for more than half of all registered accountants and practising lawyers in Hong Kong. At the corporate level, women hold 38% of managerial positions, reflecting widespread recognition of their professional competence. To foster gender equality, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited also amended its Listing Rules in 2022 to require listed companies to avoid single-gender boards, thereby promoting a fairer environment for corporate governance.
In the public sector, the current-term Government has set a historic record with 7 out of 15 Directors of Bureaux being women. There is also a strong presence of women at the rank of Permanent Secretary, demonstrating their notable contributions and standing in governance. As Miss Mak remarks, “Women possess strengths in observation, communication and collaboration, enabling them to take on key roles across various domains. By breaking through traditional frameworks, they exemplify the true essence of ‘She Power’.”
Policy Support: Building a Platform for Women’s Development
To support women in pursuing their self-enhancement amid a rapidly changing environment, the Government established the Women Empowerment Fund (the Fund) in June 2023. Jointly implemented by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Women’s Commission, the Fund aims to empower women of all ages, professions and backgrounds to realise their full potentials in their respective arenas.
The Fund subsidises eligible women’s groups and non-governmental organisations to run non-profit-making projects that support women in various aspects, ranging from assisting them to accomplish transformations in the job market, enhancing their awareness of physical and mental health, helping them to cope with different roles in family and society, facilitating their use of information and communication technology to engaging them in community participation, thereby enhancing their self-improvement and community involvement. Offering diverse development opportunities and platforms for fulfillment, projects under the Fund are categorised into general projects and two thematic projects, namely the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme and the Programme on Women’s Participation in Community Services.
The Exchange Programme enables participants to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of national affairs and developments in cities of the Greater Bay Area, and engage in valuable exchanges with local people from different walks of life. The Community Services Programme encourages women to harness their strengths in planning and implementing community service activities in response to social needs, hence contributing to society and fostering inclusiveness. By the 2024-25 financial year, the Fund has approved nearly 290 projects with a total funding of over $43 million.
To cater for the diverse needs of women, funded projects vary in content, format and learning level. Examples include training on job-seeking skills for women re-entering the workforce, courses on elderly or child care, ESG awareness seminars for young women, and entrepreneurship workshops for aspiring female business owners. Miss Mak states, “The Fund’s initiatives enable women to not only regain confidence but also build up their capacities as well as valuable workplace and social networks, so that they can give back to the community and realise their self-worth.”
Passing the Torch: Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Leaders
While technological advancement and globalisation have brought about more development opportunities for women, competition in society has also intensified. For young women to thrive in this fast-changing world, they must possess diverse capabilities, broad vision, and strong adaptability. Miss Mak stresses that young women are a major driving force for Hong Kong’s future development, and calls for concerted efforts from all sectors to support women’s all-round growth.
In April 2025, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launched the “She Inspires” Mentorship Programme (the Programme), engaging seasoned female leaders from various sectors to serve as mentors to female university students. The one-on-one mentorship and practical training cover areas such as career planning, job-hunting skills, business etiquette, and visits to both public and private institutions. The Programme aims to empower young women by enhancing their competencies, self-confidence and interpersonal networks, thereby preparing them for their career paths and nurturing the next generation of women leaders. Over 250 female students from 12 universities in Hong Kong have applied to join the Programme.
The inaugural cohort has successfully recruited over 50 female leaders from various trades, ranging from CEOs, corporation partners to other professionals. The Programme also features group activities to assist mentees in exploring career paths and expanding their horizons.
Miss Mak encourages young women, “The future of Hong Kong depends very much on your wisdom and sense of responsibility. As you pursue personal achievements, never lose sight of the aspiration to give back to society — this is the true embodiment of ‘She Power’.” She adds that Hong Kong women, with their global perspectives, professional capabilities and cross-cultural communication strengths, are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. “I look forward to young women leveraging Hong Kong’s unique strengths of connectivity, to showcase to the world the talent and spirit of Hong Kong women and to tell our stories well,” Miss Mak adds.
Looking Ahead: Harnessing “She Power” for a New Era in Hong Kong
The stories of women’s struggles and successes in Hong Kong will continue to unfold. From families to workplaces, from local communities to international arenas, “She Power” is shaping the future with resilience and resolve. As gender equality policies continue to advance and social recognition increases, women in Hong Kong are writing their own brilliant chapters with wisdom and tenacity, ready to exert influences across even more dimensions for a future Hong Kong with greater vitality and possibilities. Miss Mak concludes, “Women in Hong Kong are not only participants in social development and progress — they are initiators. ‘She Power’ is a vital force that propels us all towards a brighter tomorrow.”