Every Day Is a Day to Make Improvements

My participation in the UN Fourth World Conference on Women actually began two years prior to the conference. On June 28, 1993, I and 10 other Hong Kong women established the Hong Kong Federation of Women (HKFW). Actually, the (initial) goal, and why we set up HKFW, was to take as many Hong Kong women as possible to the Fourth World Conference on Women.

In February 1994, we received an invitation to attend a preparation meeting in the UN. That's the beginning, how we learned to be an NGO. We learned to try to stand up and have our voice heard. The ACWF gave us a lot of help.

Our federation helped 68 other women's NGOs from Hong Kong to attend the NGO Forum on Women, Beijing '95. I was involved with organizing the logistics for our 346 women from Hong Kong. That was good training for me.

I think the biggest outcome for Hong Kong was the establishment of HKFW, which actually occurred before the conference. After the conference, HKFW tried to do more for Hong Kong, on not only women's issues, but also other issues. For HKFW, action is more important than words. We don't pay lip service.

I have also been involved with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) since 1993. Every year, I raise U.S. $1 million from Hong Kong for UNICEF's China office. I also set up a foundation in Hong Kong for Chinese Tibetan children's health and education.

I don't look at the women's issue as just a social issue. I look at … how you can help young women have equal opportunities and equal status in everything. Education is the No.1 (way) to give women the chance (to have) equal opportunities.

The World Conference on Women gave me a chance to make a lot of friends, and to learn what to do and how to achieve goals. I don't reflect on what has happened, but I utilize what I have learned to try to do something better for the future. So, every day is a day to make improvements.

(Women of China)