Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said yesterday he hopes that women in Macau will open a new chapter in promoting Macau’s high-quality development and make new contributions to the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Sam made the remarks while delivering a speech at a reception hosted by the Macau Women’s General Association, commonly known as Fu Luen in Cantonese, to celebrate the upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8. Yesterday’s event, held at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf in Nape, was also the swearing-in ceremony for the new term of the association’s board members.
In his speech, Sam pointed out that International Women’s Day originated from a great movement advocating gender equality and social justice. Looking back over the past century, Sam said, women have transitioned from domestic roles to societal contributions, stepping out from behind the scenes to the forefront, gaining visibility.
With unwavering perseverance and a spirit of relentless effort, Sam said, women have shone brightly in various fields, earning equal rights and respect.
Sam said that women from all countries have written their own glorious chapters with diligence, wisdom and courage, and through their efforts and achievements, they have also been promoting social progress and development.
Sam noted that more and more women in Macau are breaking through traditional boundaries, where they are actively engaging in different sectors and industries with the ambition and determination to rival their male counterparts and through persistent hard work, showcasing extraordinary talents and abilities and becoming an indispensable force in Macau’s socioeconomic development, he said.
Sam acknowledged that, however, the local government is aware that many women in Macau are still facing various challenges and difficulties, pledging the local government’s commitment to safeguarding women’s rights and interests and gender equality.
Sam underlined that the government will continue to unite all sectors of Macau’s civil society in safeguarding the rights and well-being of women in Macau, continuously promoting the faster and better development of women’s causes, supporting women in building their careers, and encouraging them to realise their life aspirations and showcase their brilliance.
Sam said he hopes that women in Macau will continue to demonstrate their unique charm, gather strength and take on responsibilities, contributing their wisdom and abilities in their respective jobs, leveraging their unique advantages and roles in building family harmony and civility, giving new impetus into the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics, opening a new chapter in promoting Macau’s high-quality development, and making new contributions to the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Sam also said that over the past 75 years since its founding, the Macau Women’s General Association has always upheld the fine tradition of patriotism, love for Macau, and care for women and children, making tremendous contributions to Macau’s development and progress of women’s and children’s causes, with remarkable achievements that have been widely recognised.
The Macau Women’s General Association was founded in 1950.
In his speech, Sam urged the association to stay committed to its original aspirations, continuing to promote the spirit of benevolence and love, uphold the core values of patriotism and love for Macau, and support the local government in exercising law-based governance, while making new and greater contributions to promoting the steady and far-reaching implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics, to ensuring Macau’s prosperous and stable development, and to building a harmonious society and a better home for all.
For the new term of the board of the Macau Women’s General Association, Lau Kam Ling has been re-elected chairwoman while Un Sio Leng has been re-elected president.
In addition to Sam, yesterday’s event was also attended by other senior representatives such as Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Macau’s first chief executive and now vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Macau Deputy Director Lyu Yuyin, Foreign Ministry Deputy Commissioner Sun Xiangyang, and Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Wallis O Lam.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai delivers a speech during yesterday’s reception hosted by the Macau Women’s General Association marking the upcoming International Women’s Day, at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. – Photo: GCS
