Last week in Beijing, global leaders and changemakers gathered at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address highlighting achievements since the landmark 1995 meeting and laying out a bold four-point roadmap to accelerate gender equality in the next decade.
Bridging Gaps with Data
Xi opened with a stark reminder: over 600 million women and girls still live in conflict zones, and nearly 10% remain trapped in extreme poverty. Despite nearly 1,600 laws passed worldwide to protect women’s rights, deep-rooted violence, discrimination, and a widening digital divide continue to hold back progress.
Four Proposals for Change
- Secure Peace and Safety: Strengthen protections for women in conflict and disaster zones, crack down on all forms of violence, and involve women in peacebuilding.
- Drive High-Quality Development: Ensure women benefit from economic globalization, the tech revolution, and green growth, empowering them to realize their ambitions.
- Reinforce Legal Frameworks: Expand access to health, education, and political participation while eradicating discrimination and bias.
- Boost Global Cooperation: Elevate women’s roles in global governance, support UN platforms, and foster cross-cultural exchanges.
China’s Journey and New Commitments
Turning to the Chinese mainland’s own progress, Xi celebrated historic milestones: 690 million women lifted out of poverty, an 80% drop in maternal mortality, and women now make up over 40% of the workforce and 60% of recent Olympic medalists.
China also announced fresh support for the global women’s cause: $10 million to UN Women, $100 million for South-South gender development projects, 1,000 new livelihood programs, 50,000 exchange and training slots, and a new Global Center for Women’s Capacity Building.
Looking Ahead
As global peers echoed a shared commitment to “Action for Equality, Development and Peace,” Xi called on all nations to carry forward the spirit of Beijing 1995, accelerate women’s all-round development, and write a new chapter in global cooperation. His message was clear: gender equality is not just a goal—it’s a cornerstone of a sustainable, inclusive future.
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Full text of Xi Jinping's speech at Global Leaders' Meeting on Women
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