Beijing: In 1995, the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women of the United Nations (UN) was held in Beijing, China. Over the past three decades, China has acted on the spirit of the 1995 Conference and made historic achievements in women’s development in the country. During the 2015 Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and the 2020 high-level meeting on the 25th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women at the UN General Assembly, President Xi Jinping elaborated China’s propositions on gender equality and women’s well-rounded development, and proposed holding another Global Leaders’ Meeting on women in 2025.
According to Ghana News Agency, this October, China will once again convene the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, joining other countries around the world in writing a new chapter in the development of women’s causes worldwide. China recently released the White Paper, ‘China’s Achievements in Women’s Well-Rounded Development in the New Era’. It systematically introduces China’s philosophy on women’s development, focusing on the tremendous achievements made in promoting gender equality, and women’s development since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, especially in the past five years.
Also worthy of note is China’s positive contributions to the global development of women’s causes. This white paper provides a vivid example of China’s governance for the world, injects new elements into human civilisation, and opens up a new path. Women’s development in the country has achieved a comprehensive leap forward, and the socialist women’s development path with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated vibrant vitality and unique advantages. In the political sphere, the proportion of women among delegates to the 14th National People’s Congress rose to 26.5 per cent, increased by 1.6 per cent compared to the previous Session, while women representatives to county and township people’s congresses accounted for 31.6 per cent and 32.4 per cent, respectively.
In the institutional sector, ‘Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women’, recently revised in 2022, stipulates that women enjoy equal rights with men in all aspects of political, economic, cultural, social, and family life. For the medical field, the average life expectancy of women has exceeded 80 years old, and the maternal mortality rate has dropped to 14.3 per 100,000 live births. Within the educational sphere, the proportion of female university students has increased to 49.9 per cent, and the number of female scientific researchers has reached 45.8 per cent.
In the economic sector, China has won the largest poverty alleviation campaign in human history, with 690 million women simultaneously moving towards a moderately prosperous society. The employment sector has the female labour force participation rate of 63.7 per cent, far exceeding the international average of 47.3 per cent. Women work in finance and the internet, accounting for 57.7 per cent and 55 per cent of these sectors, respectively. China has supported the work of UN Women, partnered with UNESCO in setting up the Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, helped developing countries in implementing 100 maternal and child health projects, and trained over 200,000 female professionals for more than 180 countries and regions.
China is promoting green innovations in developing countries, helping women transform their lives and production. For example, Juncao technology has enabled women in 106 countries and regions to stay home, raise children, and earn money. Chinese women also actively participate in maintaining international peace and security, with more than 1,000 female soldiers and over 100 female police officers serving in UN peacekeeping operations.
Ghana is also recognised for making deliberate contribution to enhancing the cause of women in the country. The governments of Ghana and China are both committed to narrowing the gender gap, promoting gender equality and the all-round development of women. The world is pleased to see the brilliant achievements made by Ghanaian women in various fields. As Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the first female Vice President of Ghana, noted in her inaugural address: ‘True progress requires that women are not merely present at the table but empowered to reshape it.’
Her success marks a watershed moment for women’s political participation in Ghana, with women’s leadership increasingly recognised. On this year’s Africa Women’s Day, Ghana held a high-level national launch of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act. Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, described the passage of the Affirmative Action Act as a historic victory for Ghanaian women, ushering in a new chapter in Ghana’s commitment to promoting gender equality, inclusive governance, and social transformation.
In July, at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Black Queens won the third place. Two players of the National Team were selected into the best team of the tournament. Their outstanding performance rekindled the hope and confidence in the future of Ghanaian women’s football. In September, three female students from the University of Ghana’s Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences won the championship in the GC69 Female Nuclear Competition organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Their actions have encouraged women around the world to devote themselves to the fields of science and technology.
It is firmly believed that with the convening of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, China and Ghana will further deepen and expand cooperation in gender equality and women’s empowerment. This will also strengthen the promotion of women of the two countries to play a greater role in the country’s political, economic and social development agenda.