#China #Beijing #Digital Innovation #Women Empowerment #Kuaishou

Digital Empowerment of Women and Girls at Kuaishou

Kuaishou Technology, a leading content community and social platform, has strengthened its commitment to inclusive development during the 2025 International Symposium on Girls' and Women's Education. This event took place at Beijing Normal University and was a collaborative effort between the National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO, UNESCO, and Beijing Normal University. It brought together female leaders from various countries to discuss practical solutions for enhancing education for girls and women globally.

Key Highlights from the Forum
At the forum, Song Tingting, Vice President of Kuaishou, emphasized the company's latest initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls through digital innovation. "Short video and live streaming platforms like Kuaishou are becoming powerful tools that help women achieve their potential," stated Song. By making technology more accessible, Kuaishou allows women to overcome barriers and participate significantly in economic and social development.

Bridging the Digital Gap for Rural Women
The forum also addressed the ongoing digital divide faced by women in marginalized communities. Song acknowledged, "Many women in rural areas still lack access to information and opportunities." To combat this issue, Kuaishou has initiated several programs, including Happy Rural Leaders and the She-Power Academy, since 2018. These initiatives aim to provide free digital skills training to women in remote areas, enhancing their employability and enabling them to start businesses while gaining visibility via the platform.

An inspiring story shared at the forum was that of Zhang Xiaosi from Linyi, Shandong. After returning home to care for her ailing father, Zhang participated in Kuaishou's Empowering for Happiness program, where she received free training in live streaming and e-commerce. She began selling local agricultural products online, and by 2024, her cherry sales skyrocketed by 36 times, earning her over 80,000 yuan (approximately 11,216 USD). Furthermore, the skills she acquired enabled her to assist local elderly villagers in increasing their incomes by 700 yuan (around 98 USD) monthly.

So far, Kuaishou has trained over 10,000 women like Zhang, benefiting millions across China through income generation and employment opportunities.

Supporting Girls through Education and Technology
Kuaishou's commitment extends beyond women; it also focuses on improving the lives of girls in rural areas. Since 2021, the company has partnered with organizations like the China Youth Development Foundation and local women's federations to launch initiatives supporting economically disadvantaged girls, reaching more than 100,000 beneficiaries.

In collaboration with the Beijing Women and Children's Development Foundation, Kuaishou has donated equipment and established digital classrooms in 14 rural schools in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. These classrooms offer STEM courses that encourage girls to pursue careers in science and technology.

From 2023, the Inspiring Minds Academy summer camp has provided rural students with immersive science and cultural experiences in Beijing, including museum visits, historical monuments, and interactive learning sessions featuring artificial intelligence. Additionally, Kuaishou has teamed up with the China Rural Development Foundation to introduce music education to over 100 rural schools through the Kuaishou Music Classroom initiative.

In total, the Kuaishou Public Welfare Foundation has supported over 500 schools and reached more than 700,000 children and adolescents through programs focusing on music, physical education, and information technology.

Kuaishou's initiatives reflect how digital platforms can serve as catalysts for social change by amplifying local voices, developing skills, and fostering self-confidence. By empowering rural women to establish their businesses and encouraging youth to explore innovation, Kuaishou is dedicated to harnessing technology as a positive force for good.