#China #Digital Literacy #economic independence #HER Power #Fenghuang

Introduction

On May 22, 2025, the unveiling of the 2025 HER Power, HER Stories Dialogue occurred in Fenghuang County, Hunan Province, China. This influential event focused on the profound impact of technological advancements in promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s empowerment. Spearheaded by a coalition of notable organizations, the dialogue discovered pathways for digital transformation to support rural women in their quest for economic autonomy.

Event Significance

Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, this year’s gathering took on a profound significance. It showcased a vision for gender-sensitive rural transformation in the digital age and emphasized China's successful strategies for poverty alleviation and regional development. The discussions centered on how technology can reduce labor burdens for women, enhance their decision-making power, and foster their participation in community development.

Key Themes Explored

Under the theme “Technological Progress Bringing New Opportunities for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment,” the dialogue focused on several central ideas:
1. Digital Transformation and Economic Independence: Investing in women’s access to technology creates far-reaching benefits for societies, as highlighted by UN Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee. The emphasis was on the potential of rural e-commerce and digital literacy campaigns.
2. Empowering Leadership: With technology at their fingertips, women are increasingly becoming leaders and innovators in agriculture and other sectors, emphasizing the need for structured institutional support to facilitate their growth.
3. Fostering Knowledge Exchange: The dialogue sessions included case studies and thematic panels that encouraged sharing best practices and promoting gender-equitable rural innovation among developing countries.

Impact of Technology on Women

The dialogue highlighted numerous success stories of women leveraging technology to transcend traditional roles. Rural women in China are establishing agritech cooperatives and participating in digital literacy training programs. Projects such as the Digital Mulan Homestay Manager Digital Literacy Training have trained over 6,600 women to manage guesthouses effectively. This blend of skills has led them to emerge as industry experts, showcasing the empowerment through skills approach.

Collaborative Efforts

This event was co-hosted by various organizations, including the China Internet Information Center, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. With around 100 participants, including scholars, government officials, and NGOs, the dialogue facilitated a robust exchange of ideas on best practices for empowering rural women.

Deputy Mayor Ou Wanhai of Fenghuang County expressed a commitment to advancing women’s development through entrepreneurship in agriculture and cultural tourism, indicating that policy support and capacity building are critical to their success.

Looking Forward

The discussions during the event culminated in significant accords on promoting women’s empowerment through technology. Representatives emphasized the urgency of reducing gendered barriers in the adoption of agricultural technologies and practices. Nii Quaye-Kumah, IFAD representative, declared that providing rural women with necessary resources is vital for their sustainable growth and contribution to inclusive rural revitalization.

Looking ahead to the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, it is imperative to reinforce our commitment to fostering gender equality at the forefront of agricultural transformation.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the compelling discussions from the HER Power dialogue, it becomes clear: empowering women through technology is not merely about providing resources but fundamentally about transforming women from subjects of development into agents of change. The experiences from Fenghuang serve as a beacon of hope and a blueprint for communities worldwide aiming at enhancing women's contributions to society. By harnessing the power of technology, we can collectively overcome gender barriers and accelerate the pace of development for rural women globally.