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China Sets the Pace for Global Women’s Development

On October 16, 2025, China hosted an important event, the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which focused on the rights and comprehensive development of women. This gathering marks a significant moment as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the landmark Beijing Conference on Women, where the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted. In this meeting, President Xi Jinping highlighted the essential role of women in advancing social progress, urging international cooperation towards achieving gender equality and improving women’s rights.

The meeting aimed to push for new global initiatives to address women's issues, emphasizing the need for countries worldwide to create peaceful and stable conditions to support women’s development. President Xi presented four key areas where nations can collaborate: guaranteeing gender equality, safeguarding women's rights, fostering comprehensive development, and cultivating new growth drivers that empower women.

Progress and Achievements in Women’s Development in China

Since 2013, China has made concerted efforts to alleviate poverty affecting women, lifting millions out of destitution. The latest statistics show that around 690 million women now enjoy a moderately high standard of living. Moreover, women now account for more than half of the enrollment in higher education institutions, and they hold over 40% of employment in various sectors, marking a substantial progress in gender representation in workforce participation.

In the scientific community, women represent 45.8% of researchers, while they surpass 50% among internet entrepreneurs and compose 42.3% of judges in China. These figures reflect a growing presence of women in leadership and professional roles.

Significant advancements in women's health and well-being have also been observed. Presently, the average life expectancy for women in China exceeds 80 years, and the maternal mortality rate has seen a drastic reduction of 77% from 1995 to 2024. The World Health Organization has recognized China as a leader in maternal and child health initiatives.

International Collaboration for Women’s Development

Beyond its domestic success, China is actively promoting women’s development on a global scale, particularly in developing countries. Since 2015, China has contributed $20 million to UN Women and has co-founded an award with UNESCO to promote girls' education, funding projects focused on digital education, health care, and vocational training for girls in Africa. This effort has reached thousands of girls aspiring to achieve their dreams.

China has also initiated over 100 maternal and child health programs and various campaigns aimed at improving housing and educational infrastructures for women in the Global South, significantly enhancing their living conditions. Through the Global South-South Development Fund, China has implemented more than $40 million in women-centered projects across over 20 countries, providing capacity-building support to over 200,000 women globally.

During Monday's meeting, President Xi announced new commitments to women's development over the next five years. These include an additional $10 million to UN Women and $100 million to the GDF, aimed at supporting women and girls’ programs, funding 1,000 grassroots projects to improve women’s livelihoods, inviting 50,000 women to China for exchange programs, and establishing a global center for women's capacity building.

These new financial pledges and deepening collaborations signal a historic leap towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world for women everywhere. This meeting not only addressed immediate needs but also laid a foundation for long-term global partnerships focused on women's rights and development.