Thirty years ago. In 1995, the Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, the capital of China. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at that conference showed the whole world a new direction for women’s development and gender equality. This time, Beijing is once again going to be the center of women’s progress. The Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women is going to be held on October 13 and 14, where the world’s top leaders have started to unite to implement the 1995 commitment anew.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will be at the opening ceremony of this meeting. He will also deliver the keynote speech. President Xi has always been a unique voice on the international stage on women’s development. In 2015, at the UN Women’s Empowerment Conference, Xi Jinping highlighted four directions – coordinating women’s development with social and economic progress, ensuring the protection of women’s rights, building an inclusive society, and creating a women-friendly global environment. With this vision, China has today established an example of women-inclusive development, which is called ‘Her Power in Action’.
China’s progress in women’s empowerment
Over the past three decades, China has made significant progress in women’s rights and opportunities, embodying the spirit of the Beijing Declaration. Targeted poverty alleviation programs have been taken since 2013. As a result, millions of Chinese women have crossed the poverty line. Now, about 690 million Chinese women enjoy a ‘moderately prosperous standard of living.’ What is the current level of Chinese women? Statistics have given the answer. 45.8 percent of those working in the country’s scientific sector are women, more than half of Internet entrepreneurs are women, and 42.3 percent of judges are women.
On the other hand, the average life expectancy of women in China is now over 80 years. The World Health Organization has also recognized China as one of the most successful countries in maternal and child health. Behind this achievement are strong policies and practical steps. Gender equality is now China’s basic national policy. Women’s development has also been included in the country’s five comprehensive plans.
China has ensured the full participation and benefits of women through programs such as poverty reduction, technical training, universal education, and healthcare.
China’s initiatives for women’s development in the world
Beyond the country’s borders, China has also thought about women’s development in the international arena. It has played an active role. It is participating in the global governance of women’s issues, organizing international women’s conferences and cooperation programs. In the past decade, China has donated $20 million to the United Nations women’s organization, UN Women.
In addition, it has launched the ‘Prize for Girls and Women’s Education’ together with UNESCO.
Since 2012, China has organized 29 international women’s conferences, and has invested about $40 million in women-centered projects in more than 20 countries.
Gender-based violence, inequality in education and employment, and the low presence of women in leadership – these problems still persist around the world. Recently, UN Women said in its Gender Snapshot 2025 report that if current trends continue, 351 million women will still be in extreme poverty by 2030.
Another 676 million women and girls live in conflict-affected areas – the highest number since the 1990s. But UN Women Executive Director Sima Bauhaus offers a sign of direction. She says China’s experience in women’s equality, progress and empowerment can now be emulated by the rest of the world.
Source: Faisal-Nahar CGTN.