The United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing on Sept. 15, 1995 (U.N. Photo/Yao Da Wei)
As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark 1995 World Conference on Women, China is preparing to host a major Global Summit of Women in Beijing — a symbolic and strategic move reaffirming its commitment to women’s empowerment and the broader goals of sustainable development.
The original 1995 conference, which brought over 17,000 participants from 189 countries to the Chinese capital, was a watershed moment in the international women’s movement. It culminated in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, one of the most progressive and comprehensive frameworks for advancing gender equality globally. Thirty years later, the return to Beijing reflects not only a celebration of past progress, but also a call to reinvigorate global commitments in a world still grappling with gender-based disparities.
The 2025 Global Summit of Women is expected to gather heads of state, UN officials, civil society leaders, academics, and entrepreneurs to discuss key issues facing women today — from economic participation and leadership to healthcare access, digital inclusion, and climate resilience. It aims to foster actionable partnerships and reaffirm the shared responsibility in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.”
For China, the summit serves as a pivotal platform to showcase its efforts in improving the status of women domestically and to align those efforts with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In the three decades since the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted, China has made measurable progress. Women’s representation in the workforce has remained high, and significant strides have been made in literacy rates, maternal health, and education. According to recent statistics, more than 70% of women in China are economically active, and over half of university students are female.
China has also launched national programs to support women entrepreneurs, promote rural women’s development, and combat domestic violence through legal reforms. In recent years, gender equality has been increasingly integrated into national policy plans, with specific targets tied to poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare access.
However, significant challenges remain. Women are still underrepresented in political leadership and face persistent wage gaps and employment discrimination. Cultural norms and structural barriers continue to hinder the full realization of gender equality in many sectors. The summit presents an opportunity for China to address these issues openly and commit to accelerating progress.
By hosting this global gathering, China is reinforcing its support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the interlinked objectives related to education, health, climate action, and gender equality.
Gender equality is not only a stand-alone goal (SDG 5) but also a cross-cutting enabler of other SDGs. Empowered women contribute to economic growth (SDG 8), better health outcomes (SDG 3), improved education (SDG 4), and more sustainable communities (SDG 11). As the world approaches the 2030 deadline, accelerated action is needed — and summits like this can generate momentum, political will, and practical collaborations.
China’s leadership in convening this summit also underscores its growing role on the global stage in shaping inclusive development. By highlighting both achievements and areas for growth, the country can promote a model of development that embraces the contributions of women across all spheres.
The 2025 Global Summit of Women in Beijing is not merely a ceremonial event. It is a chance to reflect, reassess, and reignite international cooperation around gender equality. For China, it represents both a proud legacy and a forward-looking commitment to advancing the rights, roles, and opportunities of women in line with global development objectives.
As the world gathers once again in Beijing, the message is clear: the empowerment of women is not just a moral imperative — it is essential for building a fairer, more sustainable, and more prosperous world for all.
