Letters | Let’s build a Hong Kong where every woman has a chance to succeed

Readers discuss what Hong Kong must do on the road to gender equality, the barriers to fitness, and the disbanding of an NGO

Reading Time:3 minutes

Migrant domestic workers spend their day off in Central, Hong Kong, in October 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 11:30am, 8 Mar 2025

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As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, calls us to move beyond recognition of and drive tangible progress towards gender equality. It reminds us that while strides have been made, much work remains to be done to ensure every woman, regardless of her background, can thrive.

For me, this is deeply personal. Growing up, the female leaders I saw didn’t look like me. Representation is powerful. Women need role models who not only inspire but also show them that becoming a leader is within their reach.

Growing up in Hong Kong, I saw how societal expectations constrained women’s ambition and independence. For girls, success was narrowly defined by cultural norms. Breaking free required resilience, self-belief and the support of strong role models. My experiences taught me the importance of creating opportunities for women to overcome barriers and realise their potential.

Hong Kong is home to extraordinary women, yet systemic inequities persist. Women remain under-represented in leadership roles, and the gender pay gap continues to undervalue their contributions. Meanwhile, migrant domestic workers, who are the backbone of countless families, are often the most marginalised in society.

My mother was a migrant domestic worker, and I witnessed her immense sacrifices first-hand. She was fortunate to have employers who treated her with kindness and respect, but many others were not as fortunate. Systemic barriers denied them opportunities and recognition.