share on
Supporting those in need, planning a retreat, and even engaging the team with a quiz – Aesop, PUMA, Qeelin and Kering, Sino Group, Combine Will International, and Reckitt share exclusively with HRO about their IWD celebrations.
From advocating for women’s rights and equality, to empowering women and building a more inclusive world, International Women's Day (IWD) represents an ongoing commitment that requires continuous and collective efforts from all of us.
Although this year's IWD has passed, its spirit and impact are not confined to a single day.
In this follow-up feature, HRO takes a peek into six companies in Hong Kong, exploring the unique ways they are celebrating this special occasion in the workplace, while spreading the messages to colleagues, and even the wider community, to recognise, respect, and champion gender parity and women's empowerment.
Aesop Hong Kong: Supporting the community and empowering women in need
Combining the celebration of IWD with efforts to support the community and empower women in need, Aesop Hong Kong organised two meaningful activities this year.
Through a partnership, the Aesop Foundation provided funding to a non-profit organisation Room to Read, supporting its education programmes in countries such as India and Bangladesh to develop children’s literacy and life skills in a dignified and gender-equal manner.
“We are proud that Aesop is taking real action to support gender equity through our Aesop Foundation funding to Room to Read, providing quality education to 20,000 girls in need,” says Charlize Kan, Head of HR, North Asia, Aesop.
Additionally, Aesop partnered with Joy Connect, a social enterprise that supports women and the elderly in Hong Kong by helping them share their strengths and talents to boost self-confidence.
“In Hong Kong, our team also volunteered with Joy Connect and spent a wonderful time with their talented community women tutors,” shares Kan.
Through a meaningful and enjoyable volunteering activity with the community women tutors, Aesop’s employees learned the art of pounded flower techniques to create branded tote bags. These bags were then filled with the brand’s products and snacks and given to elderly residents in Kwu Tung, whose homes are facing demolition.
PUMA Hong Kong: Celebrating with style, conviction, and authenticity
Believing that every choice of outfit carries a personal narrative, and every piece of clothing is a blank page to write and draw who you really are, to provide women with a platform to shine and disrupt, PUMA has revealed a predominantly white collection – 'JER-SHE'. This collection spans several realms: football, basketball, motorsport, and fashion. Each piece of the JER-SHE collection serves as a blank canvas for women to define and express their true selves, with style and conviction.
As part of this year’s PUMA ‘JER-SHE’ campaign, the company organised a day of celebration in the Hong Kong office for its employees, whom it calls the 'PUMA Fam', to raise awareness on workplace topics related to female employees.
The event began with a sharing session featuring PUMA’s female managers, who took the stage to share their personal journeys and perspectives on women empowerment and leadership. They reflected on the challenges they have faced as women in their careers, and the resilience they have cultivated to overcome them.
Following this, an interactive workshop saw all participants reflecting on their own strengths, set bold goals for 2025, and being encouraged to own their potential and articulate their aspirations. To amplify the experience, they were asked to share their goals with the group, sparking inspiration and accountability among peers.
The day then concluded with a hands-on flower-box workshop led by a professional instructor, allowing employees to unleash their creativity, while building a community of strength and support within the staff.
The company also encouraged staff to share their own stories of IWD empowerment with the offered jersey collection.
Qeelin and Kering: Support for the future chapters of life
On the occasion of IWD, as well as the dual 21-year anniversaries of both Qeelin and Hong Kong's only community women's fund dedicated to advancing gender equity, HER Fund, a new partnership has been formed to further promote gender equity and empower the most marginalised communities in Hong Kong.
Through the partnership with the Kering Foundation and HER Fund, three additional grassroots organisations or groups advocating for rights to be free from violence, discrimination, and poverty in their communities will receive support.
"Qeelin and Kering’s commitment to women is a major priority for us," stated the company.
"Collaborating with HER Fund to support three organisations in Hong Kong in their engagements towards gender equity for the next three years is a priority and we are happy to have signed this partnership."
On the other hand, addressing an often-overlooked topic, and in line with the Group's commitment to bridging the gender equity gap, Qeelin and Kering co-organised a workshop with allies during IWD to help colleagues plan for the next chapter in life – retirement.
Through a fun and insightful activity, employees gained knowledge of the tools needed for investment in order to reach and secure their personal retirement objectives.
Sino Group: A retreat to reset energy
Recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion for sustainable development and fostering a supportive workplace, Sino Group has placed strong focus on female employees' physical and mental wellbeing, supporting their professional development and helping them to reach their full potential with various wellness activities, seminars, and a mentorship programme under its initiative, Sino Women Connect (SWC).
To celebrate this year’s IWD, the Group hosted a two-day event, "Women Circle Gathering: Reset Your Energy Retreat”, providing an opportunity for mindfulness and self-awareness.
Through a series of guided activities, including body scan meditation, singing bowl sessions, chakra alignment, art expression, creative sharing, paired with a tailored menu, female colleagues from various business units could calm their minds, feel inspired, rejuvenate, and reconnect with themselves and each other.
“Sino Group is dedicated to promoting employee wellbeing through various initiatives, including SWC, an enriching platform for our female colleagues,” affirms Elaine Liu, Director and Chief Human Resources Officer, Sino Group.
“Recently, we hosted the ‘Reset Your Energy Retreat’, which aimed to create a supportive environment for connection and self-care through mindfulness activities. It was rewarding to see colleagues from diverse backgrounds come together, enhancing their wellness awareness. Let’s continue to celebrate the contributions of women while fostering a culture of self-care and support."
Combine Will International: Support, recognition, and ownership
Combine Will International, an OEM manufacturer headquartered in Hong Kong with factories in China and Indonesia, celebrated this year’s IWD in several special ways:
- Gender Equality Programme: Communicated the launch of the programme, and made an open call for champions and volunteers to be part of the different components of it.
- Gender equal policies: Introduced gender equal policies in China under its family-friendly factory programme, supporting parents to take leave equally for child-related reasons.
- Group-level talks: Hosted talks at the Group level in English and Chinese, featuring a UN Women China representative as a special guest, covering gender-equal and inclusive communication in the workplace.
- The Women of Combine Will Awards: Celebrated outstanding female employees at all levels, with a focus on male allies, female engineers, and young female rising stars.
- Local events: Each local factory and office organised their own events, led by local networks called culture committees. Activities ranged from a walk by the lake, hand painting fans, to breast cancer self-check lessons and free cervical cancer check-ups. Local female employees took ownership of these activities and helped make them happen.
“This is a great example of how International Women’s Day can be celebrated in the manufacturing industry with the company focusing on both impactful and fun ways to the meaningful progress of the gender equality agenda,” asserts Florence Chan, Director, Group Diversity, Equity Inclusion (DEI), Combine Will International.
“It is also great to see a company that values their workers voices and empowers them to take the lead in what they would like to do and receive as gifts. As more companies develop their care and support of employees around Asia, it is great to see an Asian manufacturing group take the lead in advancing gender equality and women in the workplace in this sector.”
Reckitt: Quiz the team up
(Stella Chun, General Manager - HKTW, Reckitt)
Reckitt celebrated this year's occasion with the Hong Kong and Taiwan teams through a quiz game designed to enhance employees’ knowledge about IWD.
Products made by female minorities were featured as prizes, embodying the company's support for this group of individuals.
"International Women's Day at Reckitt is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment," says Tras Wong, Head of HR, Hong Kong & Taiwan, Reckitt.
"We enhanced our knowledge with a quiz game and support female minorities through featured prizes. Our commitment to fostering a supportive environment ensures everyone can thrive and succeed. We inspire growth and success for everyone."
ALSO READ:
- Let’s #AccelerateAction this International Women’s Day 2025
- Gender inequality persists in workplaces despite growing public awareness
All photos / Provided
share on
