Although there is a strong argument that Hong Kong still has a long way to go in terms of achieving gender parity in many areas, the city still very much gets involved in International Women's Day which falls on March 8. Here are 12 events and initiatives to help make this year's celebrations extra special, as we are encouraged to reflect on some of the amazing achievements of women the world over, as well as their plight in many economic, political, and sociological arenas.
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Be Bold: International Women's Day Event
Non-profit organisation Liberty Asia are seeking to confront the hard issues around humanitarianism this International Women's Day. Their Be Bold event, will see speakers tell stories of hardship, courage, and survival in a bid to raise awareness and inspire people to do more for their fellows. It can't all be glitz and glam, and although Liberty Asia is an NGO that focuses specifically on the prevention of slavery and human trafficking, this event still arguably speaks most to the core altruistic message behind International Women's Day. All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting anti-slavery projects.
When: March 6, (6.30pm - 10pm)
Where: Azure,
33 Wyndham Street, Central
How much: $500 (includes wine and canapés)
Click here for more information, or RSVP by emailing
[email protected].
Suits for Success Campaign
Driven by Women In Finance Asia (WiFA), this amazing initiative seeks to empower and equip those who may struggle to do so themselves. Launching in conjunction with International Women's Day, the program is aiming to get people to donate their old suits for the benefit of the underprivileged, youths exiting school, people that up-cycle in order to supplement their family income, mothers looking to re-join the workforce, and asylum seekers and refugees. So, if you have an old suit lying around that you don’t see yourself using, drop it off at one of the
city’s collection points and you may just change someone’s life.
When: Until
March 9
Where: Click the link above for details on collection points
Click
here for more information
Mrs. Pound & Benefit x International Women's Day
Makeup and food - two of life's greatest pleasure (I assume - I'm a guy, but I once ate my mum's lipstick when I was two and I distinctly remember it being delicious). Anyway, the so-hot-right-now restaurant and makeup maestros are joining forces for an evening of cocktails, makeup, and delicious food by way of Mrs. Pound's new Fire Rooster menu. Your first cocktail is on the house, plus the first 50 women to arrive will receive a goodie bag from Benefit Cosmetics worth over $250. There's also free eyebrow waxing on the go - cause everyone loves a bit of searing pain on a night out.
When: March 8, (6pm - 9pm)
Where: Mrs. Pound, G/F, Ming Fat House, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
Le Bistro Winebeast & A.O.C
Traditional French resto, Le Bistro Winebeast and cosy eatery A.O.C (pictured) are coming together to celebrate new menus and International Women's Day in one go. As well as getting to chow down on some delicious new creations as part of the three-course menus, all customers of the female genealogical persuasion will be able to treat a guest (be it boyfriend, girlfriend, mum, dad, or kids) to half off their meal. Just to clarify - the other person get half off their bill, so between the two of you, that's a third off the total price. #maths.
When: March 8
Where: Le Bistro Winebeast - G/F & 1/F, Tai Yip Building, 141 Thomson Road, Wan Chai; A.O.C - 15 McGregor St, Wan Chai
How much: $388 (Le Bistro Winebeast); $328 (A.O.C)
Click here for more information
Halcyon Presents: International Women's Day
The trendy Wyndham street bar is set to celebrate International Women's Day in style by offering an hour of complimentary Aperol Spritz's and a raffle (with proceeds going to Mother's Choice) with some ace prizes up for grabs including a hamper from beauty maestros BloomMe. HIT45 will also be on hand offering a free shot at one of their gruelling workouts, and there will be goodie bags with BloomMe vouchers and sexy treats from Lovesations (hmmm, intriguing).
When: March 8, (4pm)
Where: Halcyon, G/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central
How much: Free
Click
here for more information
Bookazine International Women's Day Campaign
The popular chain of bookshops is inviting its customers to get to know extraordinary women who changed the world through 10 books curated by Bookazine directors themselves. To contribute to helping Hong Kong women, Bookazine will donate 10 percent of the sales of these 10 books generated before and on March 8 to the local charity HER Fund. With titles like
How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran and
I am Malala: The Girl who Stood up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai, the list makes for some essential reading.
When: Until March 8
Where: Any Bookazine (there's loads)
How much: $80 - $480
Click here for more information
The Garden Gathering
A unique, three-day festival that aims to enrich participants with workshops, classes, meditation, and yoga that promote health, well being, and spirituality, with Mother Earth being the proverbial star of the show. The Garden Gathering is "a place for all" - except men. The idea of sisterhood and motherhood are key elements to the festival so it's ladies and kids only. For just shy of two grand, you can forget the material world and embrace nature.
When: March 10 - 12
Where: A field in Cheung Chau
How much: $1,800
Click here for more information or to buy tickets
Swire Women of Wine Festival
Combining some delectable vino tasting and a panel of inspirational female speakers that include some of Hong Kong's most famous hospitality entrepreneurs and restauranteurs, trendsetters, and some of the city's biggest industry movers and shakers. The Women of Wine of Festival is an amazing networking event where you can hear from like-minded women who seek to establish themselves in an unfairly patriarchal city.
When: 10 March, (5pm - 9pm)
Where: HKGCC Chamber Theatre, 22/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty
How much: $300 (Cocktail, wine tasting and mini-workshops); $800 (Full access – seminars, cocktails, wine tasting and mini-workshops)
Click
here for more information and to book your tickets
Women Without Walls
A workshop designed to give women the tools and coping mechanisms needed to achieve balance in their relationships, professional, and family lives. The event will be led by Swamini Supriyananda, a trained psychologist from Australia who is currently a practicing Hindu monk in Hong Kong with a passion for teaching practical methods of using ancient wisdom in our everyday lives.
When: March 14, (6.45pm - 8pm); March 15, (11am - 2.30pm)
Where: Hong Kong Management Association, 14/F, Fairmont House (opposite Bank of America tower), Central
How much: $50
Click here for more information and to register
Women's Five
More than just a run, Women's Five is a five-week yoga, running, and fitness program culminating in a 5k run. With a steady training schedule and weekly meet-ups, this is as much about the journey and community as it is about the final product. Though of course, you're not obliged to do the full course, registration is open unil March 24 with the race taking place a week after (on April 1) so you can be as involved as you like. As well as offering the opportunity for an amazing personal journey of fitness, the program benefits women all over Hong Kong with part of each registration fee going towards a women's charity here in the city.
When: April 1
Where: Aberdeen Country Park
How much: Individual runners: $800; Teams of 2: $1,600
Click here for more information
WeCut Special Offer
With the hectic schedules that are synonymous with living in Hong Kong, it’s not easy finding time to do some pampering, but with
WeCut, the salon comes to you! Created by a group of top stylists in Hong Kong, the app provides beauty services at home, in the office, at the hotel – basically anywhere within reason. And, to celebrate International Women's Day, they are offering 20 percent off your treatment (one time only) throughout March when you enter the code
WE38BFF. Also, if you invite a pal to start using WeCut, they'll get $50 off their first order, and you'll get $100. Winners all round! Download WeCut for
Apple or
Android.
When: Throughout March
How much: minimum charge $150
Online Booking: Click here
Download WeCut for
Apple or
Android.
Genting Dream
In celebration of International Women’s Day, luxury cruise liner Genting Dream will ring in the month of March with a series of events inspired by the golden Shanghai era of the 1920s. This includes a cheongsam catwalk at sea, professional hair and makeup workshops, skincare talks, as well as some hectic parties. Obviously it wouldn't be a Shanghai celebration without some culinary classics on the go. Thankfully, good ol' Genting doesn't disappoint, as the liner's Silk Road and Dream Dining restaurants will be serving up classics from nan xiang xiao long bao
, four happiness kao fu, and Shanghainese smoked fish as a prelude to sauteed rives shrimps, braised bean curd, and sweet and sour baby ribs. Hardly inspiring to the plight of women the world over, but tasty.
When: Throughout March
Where: On a boat
For more information or to book, click here
Read more! Check out what else is on around town with
The Weekend Ahead and see what other
big events are coming up.
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