ISTANBUL, October 13, 2025 – In a landmark address at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a resounding call for the international community to unite in advancing women’s development, emphasizing that gender equality is a shared global responsibility. The event, which marked the 30th anniversary of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, saw Xi pledge $10 million to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and outline a comprehensive vision for promoting women’s rights and opportunities worldwide. The speech, reported by China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, underscored China’s ambition to lead global efforts in gender equality while addressing persistent challenges that hinder women’s progress.
Xi’s address highlighted the critical importance of women’s development in achieving broader global goals, such as sustainable development, economic prosperity, and social equity. He acknowledged that, despite significant progress over the past three decades, women continue to face “complex challenges” that demand coordinated international action. These challenges include economic disparities, limited access to education and healthcare, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and systemic gender-based discrimination. By framing women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of global progress, Xi sought to rally world leaders, policymakers, and international organizations to prioritize gender equality in their agendas.
A Vision for Global Women’s Advancement
Central to Xi’s speech was a four-pronged proposal to advance the global women’s cause. These proposals were designed to foster a unified approach to gender equality, combining strategic vision with practical action. The first proposal called for building a broader global consensus on the importance of women’s rights. Xi urged nations to align their policies and priorities to ensure that gender equality is not merely a rhetorical commitment but a guiding principle in governance and development. He emphasized that a shared understanding of women’s contributions to society is essential for dismantling entrenched barriers and fostering inclusive progress.
The second proposal focused on expanding pathways for women’s advancement. Xi highlighted the need to create more opportunities for women in education, employment, and leadership, particularly in fields where they are underrepresented, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). He stressed that empowering women to participate fully in economic and social spheres is not only a matter of justice but also a driver of innovation and growth. By investing in women’s education and skills development, nations can unlock untapped potential and strengthen their economies.
The third proposal emphasized the importance of practical actions to translate commitments into tangible outcomes. Xi called for targeted investments in women-focused programs, including initiatives to improve access to healthcare, promote economic empowerment, and combat gender-based violence. He argued that rhetoric alone is insufficient and that measurable, results-driven initiatives are critical to achieving meaningful change. This call for action aligns with global frameworks such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Finally, Xi proposed the establishment of a global governance framework to protect women’s rights and interests. This framework would involve collaboration among governments, international organizations, and civil society to address systemic issues such as discriminatory laws, cultural biases, and economic inequalities. By advocating for a structured approach to global gender equality, Xi positioned China as a leader in fostering international cooperation on women’s issues.
Financial and Programmatic Commitments
To back his vision with concrete action, Xi announced a series of financial and programmatic commitments aimed at advancing women’s development both within China and globally. The centerpiece of these commitments was a $10 million donation to UN Women over the next five years. This funding will support the UN agency’s efforts to promote gender equality and empower women through programs focused on education, economic opportunity, and advocacy. The pledge underscores China’s commitment to multilateralism and its role as a key partner in global development initiatives.
In addition to the UN Women donation, Xi announced that China will allocate $100 million from its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to support projects targeting women and girls. These projects, to be implemented in collaboration with international organizations, will focus on critical areas such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. The funds will support initiatives in developing countries, where women and girls often face significant barriers to accessing resources and opportunities. By prioritizing these regions, China aims to contribute to global efforts to reduce poverty and inequality, aligning its investments with the principles of South-South cooperation.
Xi also outlined several programmatic initiatives to promote women’s development. Over the next five years, China will support 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects designed to benefit women and girls. These projects will focus on grassroots-level interventions, such as vocational training, microfinance programs, and community-based development initiatives. By emphasizing “small and beautiful” projects, China aims to create sustainable, locally relevant solutions that empower women to achieve economic independence and improve their quality of life. These initiatives are expected to have a ripple effect, benefiting families and communities while fostering long-term development.
Furthermore, Xi announced that China will invite 50,000 women from around the world to participate in exchange and training programs over the next five years. These programs will provide opportunities for women to gain new skills, share experiences, and build networks across cultures and regions. By hosting these initiatives, China seeks to position itself as a global hub for women’s leadership development, fostering dialogue and collaboration among women from diverse backgrounds.
To institutionalize its commitment to women’s empowerment, Xi revealed plans to establish a new center dedicated to promoting global women’s capacity-building. This center will serve as a platform for collaboration with other countries and international organizations, offering training and resources to cultivate female professionals in fields such as science, technology, business, and public policy. The center aims to address the global shortage of women in leadership roles by equipping them with the skills and networks needed to succeed. By investing in women’s capacity-building, China is signaling its intent to contribute to the global pool of female talent, fostering a new generation of leaders who can drive progress in their communities and beyond.
Reflecting on the Legacy of the 1995 Beijing Conference
The Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, a landmark event that took place in Beijing in 1995. That conference produced the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a comprehensive global framework for advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The declaration set ambitious goals for addressing issues such as violence against women, economic inequality, political underrepresentation, and access to education and healthcare. It remains a cornerstone of the global women’s movement, guiding the efforts of governments, civil society, and international organizations.
Xi’s speech reflected on the progress made since 1995 while acknowledging the work that remains. He noted that the Beijing Declaration catalyzed significant advancements in women’s rights, including increased access to education and employment, improved legal protections, and greater representation in decision-making roles. However, he also highlighted persistent challenges, such as the gender pay gap, limited access to resources in developing regions, and the disproportionate impact of global crises on women. By hosting the Global Leaders’ Meeting, China sought to reaffirm its commitment to the principles of the Beijing Declaration while positioning itself as a leader in the next phase of global efforts for gender equality.
The 1995 conference was a turning point in the global women’s movement, bringing together thousands of activists, policymakers, and leaders to advocate for systemic change. Its legacy continues to shape global discussions on gender equality, with the Beijing Platform for Action serving as a roadmap for addressing intersecting issues such as poverty, health, and education. Xi’s address underscored China’s role in advancing this agenda, both as the host of the 1995 conference and as a proactive contributor to contemporary efforts.
China’s Domestic and Global Gender Agenda
Domestically, China has made significant strides in promoting women’s rights over the past few decades. The country has implemented policies to improve access to education, with female literacy rates rising dramatically since the mid-20th century. Women’s participation in the workforce has also increased, with women now accounting for a significant portion of China’s labor force. In addition, China has introduced legal reforms to address issues such as domestic violence and workplace discrimination, reflecting a commitment to improving women’s rights at home.
However, challenges remain. The gender pay gap persists, with women earning less than their male counterparts in many sectors. Women are also underrepresented in senior leadership roles, both in the private sector and in government. Societal expectations around traditional gender roles continue to influence women’s opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Xi’s global pledges align with China’s domestic efforts to address these challenges, signaling a commitment to lead by example on the world stage.
Globally, China’s contributions to women’s development are part of its broader strategy to expand its influence in international development. The Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, established to support developing countries, has been a key vehicle for China’s foreign aid efforts. By earmarking $100 million for women’s and girls’ development, China is aligning its global priorities with the SDGs, particularly SDG 5. This focus on gender equality reflects China’s recognition that empowering women is essential to achieving sustainable development and reducing global inequalities.
China’s investments in women’s development also serve to strengthen its soft power. By positioning itself as a champion of gender equality, China seeks to enhance its global reputation and build stronger ties with developing nations. The establishment of a women’s capacity-building center and the funding for livelihood projects are likely to resonate with countries in the Global South, where women’s empowerment is a critical development priority.
Addressing Global Challenges for Women
Xi’s pledges come at a time when women’s rights face significant global challenges. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately impacted women, exacerbating inequalities in employment, education, and healthcare. Women have been more likely to lose jobs, take on caregiving responsibilities, and face increased risks of gender-based violence during lockdowns. Economic disruptions caused by the pandemic have also widened the gender poverty gap, particularly in low-income countries.
Conflict and political instability in various regions have further compounded these challenges. Women and girls in conflict zones face heightened risks of violence, displacement, and limited access to essential services. Climate change, another pressing global issue, disproportionately affects women, who are often responsible for securing food, water, and energy in vulnerable communities. Xi’s call for a global governance framework to protect women’s rights is particularly timely in this context, as it underscores the need for coordinated action to address these intersecting challenges.
The establishment of a women’s capacity-building center and the funding for livelihood projects could provide meaningful opportunities for women in developing countries, where access to resources and training is often limited. Vocational training programs, for example, can equip women with skills to enter high-demand industries, while microfinance initiatives can enable them to start small businesses and achieve economic independence. By focusing on “small and beautiful” projects, China aims to create sustainable, locally relevant solutions that empower women at the grassroots level.
However, the success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation, transparency, and collaboration with local stakeholders. China’s international development projects have sometimes faced criticism over issues such as accountability, environmental impact, and alignment with local needs. To maximize the impact of its women-focused initiatives, China will need to ensure that its programs are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the unique challenges faced by women in different regions.
Opportunities for Global Cooperation
Xi’s speech concluded with a call for renewed global cooperation to advance women’s rights and development. He emphasized that no country can achieve gender equality in isolation and that collective action is essential to overcoming systemic barriers. By pledging financial support, launching new programs, and advocating for a global governance framework, China is positioning itself as a key player in the fight for gender equality.
The international community will be watching closely to see how China’s commitments translate into action. The $10 million donation to UN Women, the $100 million allocation for women’s projects, and the creation of a capacity-building center represent significant steps toward addressing global gender disparities. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives will hinge on their ability to deliver measurable outcomes for women and girls worldwide.
China’s leadership in this area could help shape the future of gender equality, particularly if its pledges are matched by sustained and impactful action. By fostering collaboration with other countries and international organizations, China has the opportunity to build a global coalition for women’s empowerment, drawing on the lessons of the 1995 Beijing Conference to drive progress in the 21st century.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Women’s Development
As the world reflects on the legacy of the 1995 Beijing Conference, Xi’s address serves as a reminder of the progress made and the challenges that remain. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set a bold vision for gender equality, and its principles continue to guide global efforts today. By hosting the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, China has reaffirmed its commitment to this vision while outlining a forward-looking agenda for the future.
The initiatives announced by Xi – from the $10 million donation to UN Women to the establishment of a women’s capacity-building center – reflect a multifaceted approach to advancing women’s development. By combining financial support, programmatic interventions, and institutional innovation, China is laying the groundwork for meaningful change. However, the success of these efforts will depend on their ability to address the diverse needs of women and girls, from urban professionals to rural farmers, and from developed nations to the Global South.
As global challenges such as economic inequality, climate change, and political instability continue to disproportionately affect women, the need for coordinated action has never been greater. Xi’s call for a global governance framework, coupled with China’s financial and programmatic commitments, offers a pathway for addressing these challenges. By working together, the international community can build on the legacy of the Beijing Declaration to create a more equitable and inclusive world for women and girls.
