Peng Liyuan Champions Tech Opportunities for Women and Girls

Professor Wang Xiaoyun of Tsinghua University was among five laureates at the 2025 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, celebrated this May for her groundbreaking work in cryptography. UNESCO hailed her research as a catalyst inspiring a new generation of women mathematicians and cybersecurity experts.

Wang’s recognition comes amid a vibrant community of roughly 40 million female science and technology professionals in China, representing nearly half of the nation’s sci-tech workforce and driving progress in fields from AI to space exploration.

‘The push to develop digital and intelligent technologies on the Chinese mainland is reshaping the lifestyles of women and girls,’ said Peng Liyuan, UNESCO special envoy for girls’ and women’s education, during a Beijing exhibition connected to the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women. ‘We must seize this era of digital intelligence to unlock broader opportunities.’

Bridging the Digital Divide

In recent years, the Chinese mainland has rolled out initiatives aimed at boosting digital literacy and tech skills, especially in rural areas. Highlights include:

• Guidelines to expand digital infrastructure and e-services in villages
• Action plans offering coding workshops and e-commerce training tailored to women
• Mentorship programs linking urban tech experts with rural entrepreneurs

These efforts have enabled rural women to thrive in the digital economy, with many leveraging e-commerce to lift their communities out of poverty and spur rural revitalization. Today, women represent over half of entrepreneurs in the country’s internet sector.

Numbers That Inspire

Data shows women now account for more than 50 percent of higher education students and roughly 43 percent of the workforce in the Chinese mainland. Their impact is growing across management, science, business, and even sports, reflecting a shift toward greater gender balance in leadership and innovation.

Looking ahead, Peng Liyuan emphasized collaboration as the key to sustaining momentum: ‘By working together—governments, businesses, educators, and young changemakers—we can build a future full of opportunity in this digital intelligence era and champion the global advancement of women.’

With leaders rallying behind tech-driven empowerment, the stage is set for women and girls worldwide to harness digital tools and transform their own futures.

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Peng Liyuan urges more opportunities for women, girls via technology

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