On 5 April 2025, Plan International Hong Kong, in collaboration with Cosmopolitan, hosted the annual Run for Girls! charity run fundraiser. Since its inception in 2017, this heartfelt event has served as a platform for advocating girls’ rights and shining a light on the global challenges they face.
This year, the campaign focused on the heartbreaking issue of girls’ trafficking in Nepal, directing proceeds of the event towards much-needed prevention and support programmes for affected communities.
As a Diamond Sponsor of the event, RYTHM Foundation contributed financial support and the time and effort of QI Group Hong Kong staff who took part in key stages of the campaign.
Keeping Nepal’s Girls Safe
The theme for the 2025 campaign, “Save Girls from Human Trafficking,” brought attention to a critical and urgent crisis that impacts countless lives.
The staggering statistics from Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission reveal that around 35,000 individuals were trafficked from the country in 2018, with about 60 percent being women and children. These grim realities are often rooted in factors such as poverty, limited access to education, unemployment, and systemic inequality.
Funds from the charity run will support Plan International’s anti-trafficking programmes in Nepal. These include education initiatives, awareness campaigns in high-risk regions, and recovery services for survivors.
The event also contributed to a broader public understanding of the issue through targeted messaging and community outreach. By bringing attention to the structural drivers of exploitation, the campaign strengthens female empowerment efforts that aim to protect vulnerable girls from harm.
RYTHM Supports Charity Run Prep
RYTHM Foundation’s decision to sponsor Run for Girls! 2025 was grounded in a shared commitment to protecting and empowering girls. The campaign’s focus on addressing trafficking in Nepal aligned closely with the Foundation’s priorities around gender equality and social justice.
In preparation for the charity run, dedicated volunteers from RYTHM Foundation and QI Group Hong Kong came together to assemble over 1,400 goodie bags for event participants. They also lent a helping hand with logistical tasks.
On the day of the event, additional volunteers supported on-site operations, ensuring a safe, organized, and meaningful experience for everyone involved.
Run for Girls! 2025 reached full capacity with 2,500 participants, including more than 700 runners from over 35 corporate teams. The strong turnout showed how widely the cause resonates with people.
Female Empowerment at the Finish
Run for Girls! 2025 brought together a vast network of support. Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, attended the charity run alongside corporate partners and community advocates, contributing to a strong show of public engagement.
And with widespread media coverage, the campaign reached beyond its immediate audience, helping to highlight girls’ rights and the risks they continue to face in vulnerable regions.
Awareness campaigns like Run for Girls! offer a clear way to connect people to complex issues through participation. By creating space for individuals and organisations to act, they strengthen public understanding and draw attention to harsh realities experienced by young girls that often remain out of view.
Each runner crossed the finish line carrying a clear message: every girl deserves to live in safety and have the freedom to shape her own future.
The work is far from over. Support Plan International’s advocacies, support your local charity run for just causes, and empower young girls today!
