Speech by CE at International Women's Day Reception 2025 (with photos/video)
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劉光源副主任(中央人民政府駐香港特別行政區聯絡辦公室副主任)、潘雲東副特派員(外交部駐香港特別行政區特派員公署副特派員)、王志學副主任(中國人民解放軍駐香港部隊政治工作部副主任)、謝志祥副局長(中央人民政府駐香港特別行政區維護國家安全公署聯絡局副局長)、梁君彥主席(立法會主席)、葉劉淑儀召集人(行政會議非官守議員召集人)、各位嘉賓、各位朋友:
大家好!我很高興今日出席由特區政府和婦女事務委員會舉辦的酒會,與大家一同慶祝國際婦女節。
今日的酒會群芳薈萃,集合各界別的女性精英。《詩經》有句名句是「窈窕淑女,君子好逑」,今日應該講是「英姿巾幗,香江好逑」!婦女是香港發展的重要力量,我在此向全港女士致敬,祝大家婦女節快樂!
今年是聯合國第四次世界婦女大會在北京召開30周年。一九九五年,來自全球189個國家和地區的代表齊聚北京,共同通過了具有里程碑意義的《北京宣言》和《行動綱領》,在教育、經濟、貧窮、防止暴力等12個重要領域提出行動目標,切實提高婦女地位和實現性別平等。這次大會在當時是聯合國史上規模最大、人數最多的盛會,將國際社會的性別平等事業帶上新台階。
30載春雨潤澤,全球各地在婦女權益保障、性別平等方面取得顯著進展。國家作為《北京宣言》和《行動綱領》的堅定支持者和實踐者,始終將婦女事業放在國家發展的重要位置,堅持男女平等基本國策,推動女性全面發展。今個星期初,第十四屆全國人民代表大會第三次會議在北京勝利開幕,會上李強總理作出政府工作報告,亦指出要保障婦女、兒童等的合法權益。
香港是國際大都會,不論男女都有平等的發展機會。女性佔香港的人口百分之五十四,是大多數。她們多年來不只擔當家庭的支柱,更是社會進步的重要推動者,在各個領域都展現矚目的風采。
我的管治團隊中有七位女局長,佔15位局長近半數,比例是歷屆問責班子之中最高。女性文職公務員的比例已達百分之四十九,而政府公務員級別最高的常任秘書長當中,更有六成是女士,所以我很感謝女性公務員。香港在「政府效率」排名中多年來位列全球三甲,女性公務人員絕對功不可沒。
在私人市場,現時有五成的專業人員由女性擔任,更有超過一半的執業律師和註冊會計師為女性,亦有近四成的經理級別是女性。女性多年來為香港的繁榮貢獻,我們非常感謝這股「巾幗力量」,請大家以最熱烈的掌聲,感謝廣大女性的勤勞和付出。為女性鼓掌!
特區政府重視婦女權益和福祉。現屆政府在二○二三年成立「婦女自強基金」,又在去年起舉辦家庭暨婦女發展高峰會、推出一站式家庭及婦女資訊平台,並將在今年上半年推行「『友』妳啟導」友師計劃,彰顯我們對支持婦女發展的決心和承諾。
藉着三八婦女節,我以三種花朵,向香港女性送上美好祝願。
第一,祝願你們如紫荊芬芳,弘揚家庭美德。各位在家庭中擔當母親、妻子、女兒等角色,發揮獨特作用。我相信你們會繼續以言傳身教培育下一代,以溫暖和愛心構建和諧家庭,讓良好的家教家風成為社會進步的基石。
第二,祝願你們如木棉挺拔,在崗位上勇闖高峰。香港正處於經濟轉型期,各行各業都要識變求變,開闢新發展領域。女性是推動社會進步的重要引擎,希望大家繼續以自強不息的堅韌精神,變革創新,為國家和香港的高質量發展作出貢獻。
第三,祝願你們如像紅梅傲雪,說好香港故事。女性剛柔並重,能以獨特的智慧和魅力,積極貢獻社會事務。我鼓勵你們繼續發揮廣闊的人際網絡,善用香港內聯外通的特質,在國際舞台上讓世界聽見香港女性的聲音。
促進婦女發展的工作任重道遠。政府與婦女事務委員會繼續全力合作,推動婦女發展,書寫婦女發展的新篇章。
最後,我再次祝福廣大婦女國際婦女節快樂,祝你們身體健康,家庭幸福!
現在我用英語向說英語的朋友送上祝福。
Now, I would like to turn to our English-speaking friends.
Today, as we celebrate International Women's Day, we also mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted at the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, in 1995, this milestone document became the key global policy agenda on gender equality.
It's been a remarkable 30 years since then, in human development, in economic progress and, most importantly, in promoting women's development.
Today, Hong Kong is home to some 4.1 million female – that's over 54 per cent of our population. Seven of my 15 Directors of Bureau are women – that's almost half of them – and a whopping 60 per cent of our top civil servants are female. Over half of Hong Kong's accountants and lawyers are female, while some 40 per cent of our managers are women.
Yes, women are the backbone of our society – they include leaders, innovators, caregivers, change-makers, and more. 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.
The Government is dedicated to promoting gender equality, and empowering women in every facet of life. Since taking office, I have established the Women Empowerment Fund in 2023, turning ideas into action, and aspirations into achievements.
The Government launched the first Family and Women Development Summit last year, igniting discussions that will shape policies for the years to come. We created a one-stop family and women information portal, ensuring easy access to essential resources.
This year, we are proud to introduce "She Inspires" – a mentorship programme led by female leaders, designed to nurture the next generation of female trailblazers and pioneers.
But that's not the half of it. When women rise, society thrives. Together with the Women's Commission, we will foster an inclusive, opportunity-filled Hong Kong, where every woman, every girl can dream big, aim high, and realise her full potential.
I wish you all a joyous, inspiring and empowering International Women's Day. Keep rising. Continue to make history. Thank you!
Ends/Saturday, March 8, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:37
Issued at HKT 12:37
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CE attends International Women's Day Reception 2025