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Header image courtesy of @aiavitalityhubhk (via Instagram)
Every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world. Events are organised in a collective effort to make female voices heard, support women’s economic empowerment, and to create engagement beyond IWD. Under this year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” IWD aims to acknowledge female achievements in society while advancing gender equality. Everyone is welcome to participate in this movement, so here’s a guide to International Women’s Day 2024 in Hong Kong.
On 9 March, Women of Hong Kong will be hosting three panels at The Women’s Lounge: “Inclusive Leadership,” “Challenging Ageism,” and “Amplifying Voices.” The event also includes games, prizes, activities, stalls, and gift bags. Above all, this is a chance for participants to meet and hear from influential guests, such as the co-founder of TEDxTinHauWomen Daniella Lopez, founder of Women of Hong Kong Sarah Vee, founder of the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation Lindsey McAlister, and other speakers yet to be announced. Find out more here.
The Women’s Lounge, 4/F, Hollywood Commercial House, 3–5 Old Bailey Street, Central
The Upper House is hosting a fireside chat titled “#WellnessOnTheRoad: Navigating the Hormonal Journey: Understanding Female Health” on Tuesday, 12 March. Dr Laurena Law and nutritional therapist Katia Demekhina will be present to discuss overall hormonal health. You can register here.
Sky Lounge, 49/F, The Upper House, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
The Hong Kong International Literary Festival is taking place from 4 to 10 March. Join IWD-dedicated events starting on 5 March as local authors Sonia Leung, Erica Lyons, and Sue Lynn Tan attend the “Celebrating Hong Kong Women Authors” drinks organised by Women of Hong Kong. Other networking opportunities include the IWD literary lunch at Soho House with author Diana Reid on Wednesday, 6 March, and one at Club Lusitano with Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai on Friday, 8 March. There are also talks such as “Exploring Complex Women Characters” with authors Diana Reid and Ronnie Scott, and “The Stories Women Journalists Tell” with journalists Zela Chin, Jervina Lao, and Caitlin Liu. You can check out other women authors and speakers on the full programme here.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is hosting several IWD events, including the book and media display at the HKUST library. Under the theme “Celebrating Women’s Achievements & Inspiring Inclusion,” the collection of books highlights works by women in the fields of science and technology, but also art, music, literature, politics, and labour! If you are looking for empowering reads, take a look at the selection here.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library, Clear Water Bay
Presented by East Hong Kong in celebration of women’s artistic excellence, Ukrainian ceramist Anna Smith is showcasing her pottery exhibition “Journey to Hong Kong.” Smith has worked on the pieces displayed since arriving in Hong Kong a year and half ago. The city’s landscapes have inspired her, and visitors should recognise some of Hong Kong’s unique cultural heritage in her creations.
G/F, East Hong Kong, 29 Tai Koo Shing Road, Quarry Bay
The wellness space at Hong Kong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park, AIA Vitality Hub, is organising fitness and wellness events centred around IWD. Local gym BFT is hosting a Hyrox Challenge on 4 March, while Nike invites you to join its hip-hop and jazz dance classes on 9 and 10 March, and Tottenham Hotspur leads two HIIT classes on 12 and 14 March. Working out together is a way to promote health, and AIA Vitality Hub is also partnering with the OT&P clinic to bring you the “Period Pain Relief” talk on 9 March. You can register here.
Partnering with sportswear and lifestyle brand Sweaty Betty, The Park Lane Hong Kong is hosting a wellness event in celebration of IWD. Taking place on 17 March at the hotel’s rooftop garden, the wellness morning event comprises of a Vinyasa flow class led by yoga instructor Ankie Beilke, followed by a poké bowl lunch with ingredients from the garden.
The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel, Style House, 310 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
Celebrating women in your community is a year-round job, and International Women’s Day can also be about unwinding for a night. On 8 March, Mr & Mrs Fox is hosting a ladies’ night with special cocktails and happy hour menu for the occasion. Over at The Daily Tot, women mixologists from Asia’s 50 Best Bars will over for a special “Raising the Bar” shift. Bernice Tiu from The Curator in Manila, Hazel Long from Junior The Pocket Bar in Singapore, and Lola Lau, head bartender at Hope & Sesame’s Shenzhen location will also participate in the “Raising the Bar” talk at new rooftop bar Wav to discuss the evolution of the F&B industry.
Popinjays is hosting a special “Her Mixology” night with five mixologists, two DJs, and even one tarot card reader present in celebration of IWD. Finally, Hong Kong’s all-female stand-up comedy group Bitches in Stiches is taking over the stage at The Aftermath on Thursday, 7 March, to celebrate International Women’s Day. You can get your tickets here.
Mr & Mrs Fox, 23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay
Wav Rooftop, R/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street Central & The Daily Tot, Felicity Building, 58 Hollywood Road, Central
Popinjays, R/F, The Murray Hong Kong, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central
The Aftermath, LG/F, Sunny Building, 57–59 Wyndham Street
Amazing organisations contribute to the advancement of women’s rights on a full-time basis, and we are lucky to have many of those in Hong Kong. On International Women’s Day, a donation can be just as impactful as taking action yourself. If you are able to donate or support them in any way, here is a non-exhaustive list : The Women’s Foundation, Phenomenally Pink, Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, Hong Kong Federation of Women, Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry, Mother’s Choice, Po Leung Kuk, Unicef Hong Kong, Women Helping Women Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Girl Guide Association, Hong Kong Women Development, The Association for the Advancement of Feminism, Hong Kong Women Worker’s Association, Her Fund, RainLily, Teen’s Key, or Equal Opportunities Commission.
Born and raised in the French countryside, Lily arrived in Hong Kong looking for an adventure. Passionate about books, she spent some time in Parisian publishing houses and is the author of an illustrated book about hair. Life in Hong Kong for her entails looking for seaside places to eat and a lot of hiking.
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