Women have long been the pillars of their families and important drivers that fuel the progress of society, contributing significantly to Hong Kong’s prosperity, the city’s leader said on Saturday.

As an international metropolis, Hong Kong offers equal opportunities for development to all, regardless of gender, John Lee Ka-chiu said in his speech at a reception to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025.

The chief executive and his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim officiated the reception hosted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Women’s Commission.

Pointing out that over 54 percent of Hong Kong’s population are women, the CE said in his speech that a whopping 60 percent of the city’s top civil servants are female. Over half of Hong Kong's accountants and lawyers are female, while some 40 percent of managers are women, added Lee.

“From boardrooms to classrooms, from workspaces to marketplaces, the women of Hong Kong continue to break barriers and inspire future generations. Your resilience fuels our progress. Your vision shapes our future. And your leadership drives our success.”

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Stressing that the promotion of women’s development is of paramount importance, the CE said: “The government attaches importance to women's benefits and well-being. Together with the Women’s Commission, we will continue our concerted efforts in promoting women’s development and writing a new chapter in women’s advancement,” he said.

Also attending the event, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said at the reception that the bureau held the first Family and Women Development Summit and launched the one-stop family and women information portal over the past year.

The Women Empowerment Fund, set up in June 2023, has so far approved over 240 projects to empower women to realize their full potential, she pointed out.

The bureau will also launch the “She Inspires” mentorship program in the second quarter of this year, matching local female university students with female leaders as their mentors.

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Thematic panels were also set up to showcase the efforts made by the HKSAR government and the commission in promoting women’s development.

Commission members, representatives from women’s groups, non-governmental organizations and the local community attended the reception.