We are proud to share that the Women’s Empowerment through Financial Literacy (WEFL) Program, led by Professor Lynne Nakano of the Department of Japanese Studies, has been honored by the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) with the Investor and Financial Education Award (Education – Tertiary Institution) 2025 Merit Award! This marks the second consecutive year that the program has been recognized by the IFEC for its contributions to the Hong Kong community. Professor Nakano and team member Dr. Liping Fu were present at the award ceremony on 10 March 2026.

Established in 2022, the WEFL Program addresses financial insecurity among many women entering mid-life, a challenge identified in Professor Nakano’s research on single women in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Aiming to empower women with knowledge and skill in personal finance, its curriculum covers budgeting, saving, asset management, risk assessment, and retirement planning.

The 36-month program has provided 54 hours of training to 584 women in Hong Kong from diverse backgrounds, including young women, older women, single mothers, domestic workers and ethnic minority students. In 2025, the program’s impact was extended to Japan by offering training to women in Osaka in collaboration with the local Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Additionally, the program’s influence has reached beyond direct beneficiaries by fostering a community of sharing, where most participants actively discussing financial literacy and training content with other women in their communities.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Nakano and the WEFL team on this meaningful achievement!