Beijing hosted a major global summit on advancing and empowering women’s leadership in early October. The summit welcomed leaders, advocates, and policymakers worldwide. The event showcased China’s developing role in promoting gender equality internationally and highlighted a key funding commitment from President Xi Jinping for women-centric initiatives.
Emphasis on the need for women’s active roles in power
Summit registration described the event, in partnership with the United Nations and other global collaborators, as the first to emphasize the need for women’s active role in governance, economic growth and peacebuilding for the first time.
In his keynote address, President Xi announced a funding commitment of $10 million for women’s development programs. This includes investments earmarked for the China-UN Peace and Development Fund and the China-UN Women Empowerment Fund, which will incorporate women’s education and health, among others, in developing countries.
“Women are the creators of human civilization and drivers of social progress. We must ensure that women have equal opportunities to participate in and contribute to development.”
Gender equality can be seen as a moral issue as well as a critical factor for an inclusive and cohesive society. Xi further emphasizes that it’s a critical component to build inclusive and resilient societies, which must address social harmony.
Women’s empowerment globally has been a priority for China
In 2015, China donated $10 million to UN Women and has supported women-centric programs in Asia and Africa. The newly anticipated funding is expected to expand and support programs that strengthen women’s leadership roles.
Panel discussions, workshops, and cultural programs focused on gender-based violence, maternal health, and women’s representation in decision-making positions. Engaging all these people in enriched conversations.
Un representatives, Nobel Prize winners, grassroots advocates, and businesswomen all shared their personal and innovative life stories.
Women’s voices – what women said about empowerment
Many women spoke of the need for cohesive, structural reforms, inclusive policies, and multinational collaboration.
It is crucial to remove existing barriers that hold women back, the President of Iceland stated:
“China’s leadership on women’s issues is encouraging. We must continue to build bridges across nations to ensure women everywhere have the opportunity to lead, innovate and shape the future.”
The Global Times highlighted how progress made by China on gender equality was reflected on the summit, including the growing number of women entering higher education, the sciences, and the technology fields.
Most of the attending international representatives praised the summit as the first of many similar initiatives for achieving global gender equality. Chinese representatives earned special mention for their summit arrangements.
The head of the UN Women, Sima Bahous, lauded China’s investment in women as an impetus for peace and progress.
“This summit is a powerful reminder that investing in women is investing in peace, prosperity and progress. We must move beyond promises and deliver real change for women and girls around the world.”
Some critics say that equity still exists in the world and China
Advocates for visible and actionable plans focusing on the gaps of reproductive healthcare, wage disparity, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions.
China’s commitment gave a push to the Women’s Empowerment Summit Initiatives held in Beijing, with records showing a large number of participants from the Global South. The summit gave Africa a perfect opportunity to showcase what has been achieved and the progress that has been made.
Complex issues of climate change, war, and peace around the globe push the need for the recognition, influence, and leadership of women. Building inclusive societies and resilient developing economies is significant right now. Most importantly, the message to the world has been achieved, and the progress that has been made.