What Does it Mean to be a Young Female Leader in Hong Kong?
Social Media Team
Category: Our Values
Tags: diversity, growth, hong kong, leadership, Learning, women

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we asked 4 young female leaders in Hong Kong about what leadership is to them. 

What does it mean to be a young female leader in Hong Kong?

To be a young female leader is to take risks, be innovative and to lead with inclusion and compassion. There needs to be more representation of intersectional woman in leadership because we are just as capable and have so much to offer!
Alya Prasad
Co-founder & Director of ArtPeace
Being a young female leader in Hong Kong means being a voice for change, a catalyst for progress, and a symbol of hope for the future.
Barbie Deiya
Committee Member of Commission on Children, and PRoject for Adaptation, Inclusion and Social integration for Ethnic minorities (PRAISE)
As co-founders of Zenerations Hong Kong, our identities as young female leaders in Hong Kong are special to us as we are able to influence other youth and women to follow their dreams. It means being able to meet other talented young leaders in Hong Kong and work collectively to change the world and improve our society.
Kate Chan, & Joyce Liang
Founders of Zenerations HK

What is youth leadership to you?

Reciprocal empowerment! When young people are empowered to be leaders, they have the capacity to empower others and themselves further. It’s a powerful thing!
Alya Prasad
To me, youth leadership means inspiring and empowering young people to become agents of change in their communities. It is about cultivating a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability that can drive positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes.
Barbie Deiya
Youth leadership is being able to influence people of any demographic into improving society as young people who are often looked down upon by older individuals. It is being able to unite with other young leaders and communities to accomplish the goals we set.
Kate Chan, & Joyce Liang

Why do you do what you do?

Words cannot describe how fulfilling it is to me! No amount of awards or recognition can make me feel this way. We physically saw transitions in confidence and development among some refugee students we supplemented education for, and were received with so much warmth and gratitude. That is a feeling that fuels us!
Alya Prasad
I am driven by the belief that every young person has the potential to make a difference in the world, and it is our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment that allows them to thrive and realize their full potential.
Barbie Deiya
Through our own experiences, we believe that Hong Kong is a place where people from most demographics are viewed relatively equally. We hope that we are able to contribute to eradicating the lingering stereotype of women being lesser than men and aim to empower more women to take leadership in their communities.
Kate Chan, & Joyce Liang

What is one thing you would like to say to HK youths?

You don’t have to wait until you are ready or have it perfect or good enough! Leaders are lifelong learners - we can learn on the job when we try something new and out of our comfort zone
Alya Prasad

To the youth of Hong Kong, I want to remind you that you are not alone in your struggles, and your voice matters. Your ideas, insights, and experiences are valuable assets that can shape the future of our society. So keep speaking up, keep challenging the status quo, and keep pushing fora better tomorrow.

Remember, youth leadership is not just about holding positions of authority or making grand gestures. It is about showing up, being present, and making small, incremental changes that add up to a greater whole. So do not underestimate the power of your actions, and do not be afraid to take the first step towards creating a brighter future for all.

As a leader, my goal is to inspire others to see the potential in themselves and empower them to take action towards creating a better future. The following quote captures the essence of true leadership, "A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent." By lifting up others and fostering a culture of empowerment, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond our own actions.
Barbie Deiya
Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone and make a change in the world. The stereotype depicted by society that youth are incapable of accomplishing what adults do often demotivate youth to follow their passions. However, as long as you have an aim and determination, it’s never too early to make a difference.
Kate Chan, & Joyce Liang

One’s gender, age or background doesn’t matter. Everyone can be a leader. Let’s lift each other up and create positive change together!

Step out of your comfort zone and live in a challenging environment which will develop your leadership competencies, personal skills and improve your language capabilities.

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