The Problem

Ethnic minority women and girls face many challenges to education and employment when compared to their male counterparts and Chinese counterparts.  

In particular, the Pakistani community is 3 times more likely to be victims of poverty than their Chinese counterparts. Poverty impacts education for all ethnic minorities who live below the poverty line. 

Our Work

Started in May-June 2018, Call Mira is a first-of-its-kind helpline providing support to ethnic minority women and girls in Hong Kong in English, Urdu, and Hindi. More importantly, all information shared with Call Mira is kept in confidence.   

An online resource portal with information on relevant topics supports the helpline. We believe all ethnic minorities, especially women and girls, should have a channel to get access to information easily and quickly. 

The helpline operates Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Our Impact

Words from Our Service Users and Partners

“They all call me Dolly Aunty at The Zubin Foundation. I am 81 years old, and I live in government housing. I first called them when my neighbour would throw rubbish at my door because we are Indian. My husband and I were scared because we were both in wheelchairs. The Call Mira helpline became my best friend. They got me a lawyer and after they visited my home. When my husband and I were very sick, they visited us in hospital and helped me visit my husband. I will never forget that. We have no family you see, we are alone. My husband died last year, Kenneth, the social worker was a pallbearer and Shalini helped me organise all the last rites and prayers. This year, they helped clean up my home and repaint it. They are my angels, all of them. I will never feel alone again. I want to say thank you to The Zubin Foundation donors for giving me Call Mira, which is my lifeline.” – Dolly Wadhwani, aged 81, Call Mira Caller

I have been a legal lead for Call Mira since May 2018 when the dedicated hotline for ethnic minority (EM) women and girls first launched. The situations EM women and girls face in Hong Kong can be complicated and are closely intertwined with culture, religion, immigration and financial issues. These factors often create numerous challenges in various aspects of their lives. I am humbled to be a part of Call Mira, where we do our best to advise and direct resources to those in need to help them avert crises and ensure their safety and well-being. It is a vital platform to reach this group.” – Puja Kapai, Legal Lead, Call Mira, Associate Professor of Law, The University of Hong Kong

Contact

To sponsor this programme, please contact:  

Vibha Karnik | Partnerships Manager | vibha@zubinfoundation.org | +852 2540-9588