The Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women convened in Beijing from October 13 to 14, drawing policymakers, activists and diplomats to celebrate and evaluate 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
At a CGTN roundtable, Maria Gustava, ambassador of Mozambique to China, reflected on the platform’s legacy. 'When we first endorsed the Beijing Declaration, we set an ambitious agenda to close gender gaps,' she said. 'Over the past 30 years, we have seen more girls in school, rising female entrepreneurship in emerging markets, and stronger legal protections for women’s rights.'
Though challenges like wage disparity and uneven political representation remain, Gustava highlighted stories of progress. In her home country, Mozambique, women now hold a significant share of seats in parliament and lead new tech startups that empower rural communities. 'These are not just statistics,' she noted, 'they represent real change in families, economies and societies.'
Looking ahead, participants stressed the importance of digital innovation, sustainable policies and cross-border collaboration to accelerate equality. 'The digital economy opens fresh avenues for women to innovate and connect globally,' Gustava observed, noting that the next 30 years will demand a renewed commitment to inclusive growth.
As the meeting concluded, delegates called for more data-driven strategies and youth-led initiatives. The momentum sparked at Beijing promises to inspire a new generation of global citizens to champion women’s causes on every continent.
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Mozambique diplomat on progress in women causes over 30 years
cgtn.com
