Our recent exploratory trip to Hong Kong was a transformative experience, offering valuable insights and new learnings. It was led by G100 Founder, Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai, who attended a private event with noted leaders from India and leveraged this occasion to connect with local networks in Hong Kong.

 

The meet-and-greet session, held in honor of International Women’s Month, was a valuable listening and learning experience, where we gained important insights into the societal issues affecting Hong Kong and impacting women and girls, such as:

 

• Intense Pressure to Excel: Women, girls, and children in general face unrelenting demands to succeed professionally, financially, and academically. These pressures are exacerbated by a declining economy and rising living costs, leading to complex and chronic stressors.
• Rising Mental Health Concerns: Young women and students struggle with mounting social anxiety, pessimism, and stifling academic expectations. These factors have led to a troubling surge in childhood depression and teen suicides.
• Vulnerability to Cybersecurity Threats: Women and girls across generations face growing digital threats, from financial scams to predatory online relationships, compromising their safety and trust.

These discussions sparked the consideration of potential solutions, such as integrating different communities to address these common issues. We aim to collaborate with local women’s organizations and charities, develop greater global solidarity—particularly in upcoming meetings for the ASEAN region—to determine new directions to tackle root causes and create lasting change through partnerships and collaborative actions.

 

We are most grateful to Dr. Minu Bakshi for her invitation to Hong Kong. We extend our utmost gratitude to Malti Dialdas for her support and introductions. We were delighted to meet Shirley Whing Chow, who led G100 activities in Hong Kong in 2023. We also thank Karishma Samtani for her soulful care.

 

G100 Secretariat