Women Empowerment Fund Turning a New Page in Women’s Life

Soaring high and far requires not only strong wings but also a tailwind that propels; the same is true for women wanting to reach higher and go further. With resilience, versatility and wisdom, Hong Kong women demonstrate outstanding commitment in holding up “half the sky” for our city, from driving economic development to nurturing families and serving communities. As they stride forward to pursue their dreams, practical support is essential to help them achieve more. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to fostering women's development by proactively creating a favourable environment for women to fully unleash their potential. In this regard, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) established the Women Empowerment Fund (WEF) in June 2023 to provide robust and strong support for women's development. In just two and a half years, the WEF has supported nearly 380 projects with total funding amount of over $56 million, benefiting women from different backgrounds.

With the strong impact of the funding support, the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address announced that the annual funding of the WEF will be increased from HK$20 million to HK$30 million to step up the support for women. This signals not only an increase in resources, but also a vote of confidence in and affirmation of Hong Kong women that they are able to create value not only for themselves, but also families, neighbourhoods and the city at large. Meanwhile, the WEF continues to bring many touching and heartwarming stories behind the impressive funding figures. In this issue, we visit two organisations supported by the WEF, namely Central Timeline and the International Women's League, to see how women are empowered to shine at different stages of life.

Walking Together in Finding Opportunities Beyond Familiar Ground

For women considering a career shift or a first step into business, the challenge is rarely a lack of ability. More often, it is uncertainty about where to begin and who to trust along the way. These realities were familiar to Angel Pang, Chairperson of Central Timeline, who mentioned that professional networks can be difficult to access, and the confidence to act does not always come easily. To unite aspiring and talented women seeking new professional pathways, and with the support of the WEF, the organisation launched a project known as "Time Unfolding Opportunities: Exchange in the Greater Bay Area", aimed at introducing Hong Kong women to emerging opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), while establishing platforms for exchange and resource sharing.

According to Ida Woo, the project supervisor, this journey into the depths of business wisdom for women brought participants to Qianhai, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Zhaoqing. They toured innovation and technology centres, entrepreneurship parks and healthcare industry hubs, and explored opportunities arising from the integration of traditional Chinese medicine culture and modern innovation. By speaking directly with local enterprises and entrepreneurship hubs, participants gained first-hand understanding of the industrial supply chain landscape and resources in the GBA, opening up new possibilities for their own career development.

One visit stood out. "In Zhaoqing, we learned about how a long-established business transformed themselves," Ida recalled. A well-known local sticky rice dumpling brand in Zhaoqing had once struggled with succession, and the turning point came when the daughter-in-law of the founding family stepped forward to take over. With keen market acumen, she modernised the brand, introduced experiential workshops and expanded online sales, transforming a local delicacy into a diversified enterprise. Her leadership challenged the long held assumption that such business must be passed down through male heirs, and offered a vivid example of how women’s perspectives can reshape tradition, deeply inspiring the participants.

This exchange trip also brought together women from different backgrounds who might otherwise never has crossed paths. Angel pointed out that they include university students and corporate executives, and all shared a passion for entrepreneurship or exploring new opportunities. Through close interaction during the journey, they connected with a group of like-minded comrades, exchanged experiences and formed a supportive network of mutual help and trust. In one case, a participant identified potential in the Zhaoqing catering market after visiting an entrepreneurship hub, and encouraged by the local support infrastructure, decided to establish a business there and signed a cooperation agreement. With the WEF, what began as a study visit became tangible support and opportunities, allowing women to turn ideas into concrete steps.

As the GBA continues to rapidly develop, such exchange activities are laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration, in addition to promoting understanding and connection among women in different places. By strengthening cooperation intentions in various fields of business, social services and innovation and technology, these interactions generate new opportunities for developing cross-boundary services and facilitating joint career development. Hong Kong women, with their language ability, international outlook and professional capabilities, can translate these strengths into more diverse and broader development opportunities through such exchange platforms.

In Helping Others, You Help Yourself: A Path to Renewal

We also visited the International Women’s League, an organisation that has deeply rooted in the community for four decades. With funding from the WEF, they launched "Hand in Hand: Women Co-creating Community", which embodies the philosophy of helping others while helping oneself. Through serving others, volunteers find healing, personal growth, discovering renewed meaning and self-value in the second half of their lives.

Vivian Tsui, Chairperson of the organisation, explained that passion alone is rarely enough for responding to the diverse needs of the community. The programme therefore focuses on equipping female volunteers with core skills, including event planning, communication, coordination, and leadership. Through structured training, volunteers also deepen their understanding of elderly mental health and dementia, and are better prepared to effectively support the elderly and others in need. Professional communication skills training further enhances their ability to handle different situations with empathy and effectiveness, making community service both warmer and more impactful.

Volunteers participating in scenario-based training to learn how to communicate with people with dementia

"One particularly touching story is about a female volunteer who lost her spouse," shared Kuby Ng, the activity training social worker. After years of devoted caregiving for her seriously ill husband, she found herself losing her focus in life after his passing and fell into depression. Joining the programme helped her recognise that the skills she had acquired through caregiving were not a burden of the past, but a resource for the present that could be a source of strength in the community. She said, "While I once cared for only one person, I am now able to care for many more by extending my care and devotion to other lives. This sense of being needed helps me rediscover my self-worth, and I feel deeply satisfied." Her care for her husband was transformed into compassion and service to the community, a love that illuminates many.

With training, volunteers demonstrate remarkable patience and professionalism when supporting elderly persons with dementia or mobility difficulties. Service Manager Amie Chan recalled a moving moment from the "Handmade DIY Workshop" in the programme: a 99-year-old lady was initially hesitated when handling the craft materials, frustrated by limited mobility in her hands. With patient guidance and encouragement from volunteers, she regained confidence and successfully completed the artwork. When she lifted up the piece she had created with dedication and smiled with childlike joy, the sense of warmth and healing was shared not only by her, but also by the volunteers who accompanied her.

Epilogue

Whether breaking new ground in entrepreneurship through creativity and sensitivity, or stepping into the community to support others with compassion, skills and lived experiences, these stories reflect the diversity and resilience of Hong Kong women.

The support of the WEF empowers women at different stages of life and from different backgrounds to create their own spotlight. Some use the support to explore and strive, and others return to their communities with renewed wisdom of helping others and oneself. The true impact of the WEF lies not only in the funding figures, but in the tangible changes it brings to women's lives and futures.

Looking ahead, more women will continue to draw strength and inspiration from the WEF. As Angel Pang’s motto reminds us, "Independence, Self-strengthening, and Self-love are all vital", and as Vivian Tsui encourages, "Take the first step with courage, and you will realise your capabilities and influence are far greater than imagined". May every Hong Kong woman shine confidently on her own stage and live a fulfilling life.