Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission attended Plan International x Cosmopolitan “Run for Girls!” 2023 with 1,300 participants Calling for Support on Girls’ Rights and Anti-Child Marriage Projects in Bangladesh

Plan International Hong Kong co-organised the 5^th “Run for Girls!” with Cosmopolitan HK at the Science Park on 7th April,2023. Over 1,300 participants enrolled in 10.11km, 3km, or 1km parent-child runs, to fight for equality for girls living in developing countries.

Because of poverty and gender inequality, 12 million girls worldwide have become child brides and they are forced to give up their education and dreams. Even worse, they have to face the potential threats of premature pregnancy and domestic violence. This year’s theme, “Save Girls from Child Marriage”, hopes to rally support and protect more girls from becoming child brides.

Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, attended the charity run as Officiating Guest, calling for support to enhance girls’ rights.

Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, attended the Opening Ceremony as Officiating Guest. Apart from promoting equal opportunities for the marginalised and vulnerable in local society, he is also very concerned about the difficulties and challenges faced by girls living in developing countries. He looks forward to increasing support in advocating girls’ rights and promoting gender equality. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Mrs. Christine Ip, Chief Executive Officer-Greater China of United Overseas Bank Limited, Ms. June Leung, Mr. Ralph Szeto, Board Member, Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan HK ,Phil Lam and Jennifer Yu, Volunteer Event Ambassador and Sisley Choi, Volunteer Star runner officiated the ceremony by displaying boards that showcased “Run for Girls!” 2023 and a slogan “Save Girls from Child Marriage”

Ms. June Leung, Board Director of Plan International Hong Kong shared in her speech that for the first time, men can participate in “Run for Girls!”. She also expressed deep appreciation for participants’ support in advocating girls’ rights regardless of gender.

During her opening remarks, Ms. June Leung, Board Member of Plan International Hong Kong expressed heartfelt gratitude for all the support, “many girls sacrificed their studies, health, safety, and future because of child marriage. Plan International believes that knowledge is the key to transforming lives. We strive to help girls break away from premature marriage so as to allow them to continue receiving education to live the best lives they could. The event was open to men for the first time this year. It is encouraging to see everyone running for girls’ rights regardless of gender!” All donations raised from this charity run allow Plan International to carry out anti-child marriage projects in Bangladesh and save more girls from child marriage. The scholarship will enable them to break free and create a wonderful future.

Mr. Ricky Chu, I.D.S., Chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission(fourth from left), Mrs. Christine Ip, Chief Executive Officer- Greater China of United Overseas Bank Limited(third from left), Ms. June Leung(second from left), Mr. Ralph Szeto, Board Member(fourth from right), Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong(centre), Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan HK (first from left), Phil Lam(second from right) and Jennifer Yu, Volunteer Event Ambassador(third from right)and Sisley Choi, Volunteer Star runner(first from right) officiated the ceremony by displaying boards that showcased “Run for Girls!” 2023.

Ms. June Leung (first from left), Mr. Ralph Szeto (first from right), Board Members of Plan International Hong Kong, presented the certificate of appreciation to the event sponsors.

Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan, the co-organiser of the event, shared in her speech that “Cosmopolitan has been supporting women to chase their dreams with no fear or worries, which matches Plan International’s mission to enhance girls’ rights for better futures. Since 2017, we have co-organised “Run for Girls!” and I am so happy to see that we are back in a physical run this year. With more participants, more donations and resources could be allocated for helping girls strive for independence, confidence, and self-reliance.”

Dr. Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong (first from right),Ms. Sophia Yu, Managing Director & Publisher (third from right), Ms. Jennifer Tsang, Vice President of South China Morning Post Publishers Limited (second from right), Ms. Sally Tse, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan(first from left), Phil Lam(second from right) ,expressed appreciation to the Women Elites who supported “Run for Girls!” by participating in the race.

As usual, “Women Elite” category is available for the elites with extraordinary achievements from all walks of life to support the charity run and enhance girls’ rights. 15 companies participated in the Corporate Cup to raise funds for promoting girls’ rights. The Corporate Most Participants Award and Corporate Top Fundraising Award were won by KPMG and United Overseas Bank Limited respectively.

Phil Lam, Volunteer Event Ambassador and Sisley Choi, Volunteer Star runner led the 3km race.

1,300 runners participated in “Run for Girls!” 2023 , co-organised by Plan International Hong Kong and Cosmopolitan, to fight for equality for girls living in developing countries.

We sincerely invite your continuous support for our Girls Fund and make the world a better place for underprivileged girls!

With your monthly HK$120 donation (only HK$4 daily) to Girls Fund, community programmes can be launched to identify and respond to the barriers girls face. It is only through giving girls equal rights that they can fully develop their potential and live life to the fullest.

Look forward to your generous support: