1,000 Female Participated in “Run For Girls”

Millions of girls worldwide, with the majority of them living in developing countries, are often exposed to risks like child marriage, early pregnancy and sexual violence. Each year, around 17.4 million girls are forced into early marriage, which equals to 1 in every 2 seconds.

To fight for and promote girls’ rights and justice, Plan International Hong Kong and women’s magazine Cosmopolitan co-organised the first “Run For Girls” charity run on 9th April 2017. Nearly 1,000 female enrolled in 10.11Km or 3Km run.

The charity run was featured with all female runners and checkpoints were set up along the 3Km route for participants to understand more on the difficulties encountered by disadvantaged girls. Game booths were also set up for enjoyment.

Nearly 1,000 female signed up for the run. All the runners gathered at Pak Shek Kok Promenade to help girls in developing countries run towards a brighter future.

Guests were invited to the open ceremony of “Run For Girls”, among all were the officiating guest Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary cum our ex-beneficiary, Mrs. Stella Lau, JP, The Chairperson of  Women’s Commission, Ms. Do Do So, President of JCI Hong Kong Jayceettes, Ms. Josephine Chan, Managing Director of Cosmopolitan, Ms. Amy Cheng, Publisher of Cosmopolitan, Ms. Ruqiyah Law, Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan, corporate sponsors, Ms. Louisa So, Ms. Lisa Cheng, “Because I am a Girl” Ambassadors and celebrity Ms. Christine Kuo.

Kanie Siu, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Louisa So, Ms. Lisa Cheng, “Because I am a Girl” Ambassadors and celebrity Ms. Christine Kuo call on public to support girls’ rights.

Joined by Mr. Andrew Weir (R8), Board Chairman of Plan international Hong Kong, Ms. Josephine Chan (L8), Managing Director of Cosmopolitan, Dr. Royce Yuen (L1), Board Deputy Chairman of Plan International Hong Kong, Dr. Darwin Chen (R5), Board Member of Plan International Hong Kong, Ms. Kanie Siu (R4), CEO of Plan International Hong Kong, Mrs. Stella Lau (R6), The Chairperson of Women’s Commission, Ms. Do Do So (R7), President of JCI Hong Kong Jayceettes,  Ms. Amy Cheng (L2), Publisher of Cosmopolitan, Ms. Ruqiyah Law (L5), Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan and celebrities, officiating guest Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po presided over the opening ceremony.

Officiating guest Mr. Chan delivered a speech. He is one of the ex-beneficiaries of Plan International Hong Kong. When he was young, he once lived in a squatter area and was a sponsored child of a US man. He was greatly moved by the kind gesture of the sponsor as his life was improved since then. Even now, he maintains contact with his sponsor.

Mr. Paul Chan calls on public to help girls in low income countries, allowing them to reach their potential and contribute to their families and countries.

Andrew Weir, Board Chairman of Plan international Hong Kong delivered the welcoming speech and expressed gratitude for the public’s support and participation in the event, “Girls in developing countries are often denied access to healthcare and education. Hence, we aim to protect vulnerable girls in low income countries, so they can reach their full potential and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. We hope the public could continue to support Plan’s work to fight for equality for girls.”

Mr. Paul Chan fired the starting shot of the 3Km race with Mr. Andrew Weir (Right) and Ms. Josephine Chan (Left).

11 “Women Elite” also joined the 3Km race. Coming from different walks of life, these women make great contributions to the society and play an active role in promoting girls’ rights.

Ms. Irene Chu, Partner of KPMG said that “Run For Girls” encourages women to participate more in community activities, and women themselves can recognize their vital roles in society.

To encourage more people to focus on girls’ rights, Ms. Joanna Ho, Deputy General Manager of ECCO Shoes Hong Kong Limited expressed, “I will use my own power to spread the message of fighting for justice and fair treatments of girls.”

Ms. Carol Yau, Chairman of Golden Bauhinia Women Entrepreneur Association agrees girls, just like boys, are entitled to do whatever they want. They should not be discriminated against.

“Run For Girls” would not have been successful without the generous support from participants, main sponsor KPMG Foundation Limited, corporate sponsors, official beverage sponsor, supporting partners and volunteers. We would like to give a big thank you to them.

Targeted at female customers, innisfree cares and supports girls rights, Han Jung Hwa, Senior Marketing Manager of innisfree urged the public to recognize the needs of girls in developing countries.

 

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