Series 05 - Mementos

The Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres (香港婦女中心協會) (HKFWC) is a non-partisan organization that supports grassroots women and promote gender equality in Hong Kong through an array of services, education, and advocacy. It was created and operated by women, with the mission of promoting Women's rights, developing women's individual potential, advising decision-making bodies through collaborative efforts, and pioneering women-focused resources and services.

HKFWC was initially founded as a subsidiary organization of the Hong Kong Council of Women (HKCW). Following the War on Rape Campaign in 1979, the HKCW set up a Steering Committee to assess the needs and feasibility for a community centre that offers social services to grassroot women. This nurtured the establishment of the Women's Center, marked by the opening of a telephone helpline on May 5, 1981. The centre operated in the back office of former Urban Councilor, Elsie Elliot, until 1985 when it moved into the ((Lai Kok Estate (麗閣邨)** premises in Shum Shui Po. Its distinctive identity and directives eventually led to its independence from the HKCW in 1992, after which the Centre renamed to the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres.

Following its independence, HKFWC continued to expand its network of services to other districts in Hong Kong. In 1996, a second centre was opened in Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po (大埔太和邨). In 2014 and 2016 respectively, two new centres premiered in Fanling (Women in Self Enhancement centre) and Sheung Shui to extend the reach to North District. 2019 witnessed another milestone when Jockey Club Wah Fu Centre, the first service unit on Hong Kong Island, was set up.

HKFWC's contribution to women's welfare were recognized by governing bodies locally and abroad. In 1989, it was granted membership of the Community Chest (公益金). In 2002, it acquired Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

To obtain charitable status with tax exemption, Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres Limited was established in 2015. The transfer of HKFWC to the compnay limited by guarantee was completed in 2023, and the existing HKFWC formed under Societies Ordinance was dissolved.