World Insights: Xi's new proposals chart new course for women's cause, experts say

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping shared on Monday with the international community his insight on accelerating women's all-round development and promoting gender equality worldwide at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing.

Hailing his keynote speech as a call to carry forward the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women and deepen global cooperation, observers worldwide said Xi's new proposals have charted a new course for promoting the global women's cause and building a shared future for women worldwide.

THRIVING CAUSE OF WOMEN

Since the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations in 1979, a total of 189 countries have ratified the international treaty. And over the decades, more than 190 countries have enacted nearly 1,600 laws protecting women's rights and interests. An increasing number of countries have also formulated national action plans to enhance women's well-being.

"Over the past 30 years, guided by the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women, the cause of women has been thriving around the world, adding brilliant splendor to the progress of human civilization," Xi said.

In his keynote speech, Xi put forward four proposals -- to jointly foster an enabling environment for women's growth and development; to jointly cultivate powerful momentum for the high-quality development of women's cause; to jointly develop governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests; and to jointly write a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women.

Gertrude Mongella, secretary-general of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, said that China has been a steadfast supporter of the global cause of women, and Xi's keynote speech has charted the course for accelerating the development of women's cause worldwide, noting that the conference 30 years ago was a milestone and a turning point.

Moez Doraid, the UN Women regional director for the Arab states, agreed with Xi's proposal to jointly foster an enabling environment for women's growth and development.

"In key areas such as eliminating violence against women, ensuring maternal health, and enhancing women's economic participation, the world is still falling short," Doraid said. "President Xi's proposals have injected powerful momentum into achieving these goals -- this is not only about women, but about all humanity."

"As President Xi Jinping said, women are an important force in improving and reforming the global governance system," said Veronica Giordano, a researcher at the University of Buenos Aires.

"Including gender equality and women's roles in global governance on the international agenda represents major progress. Building a broad platform for cooperation among women and deepening exchanges and mutual learning are of great significance," said Giordano.

Wanna Lorluelert, president of the Association of Chinese Teachers in Thailand, said that the cause of women is not only about the well-being of a single group but also an important indicator of a country's level of civilization.

Xi's proposal to "jointly develop governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests," which includes improving institutions and laws, fostering an inclusive and harmonious social environment, and broadening channels for women to participate in political affairs, will provide institutional guarantees for further advancing gender equality and help make respect for women a universal consensus, said Lorluelert.

HISTORIC PROGRESS IN CHINA

In China, 690 million women have embraced moderate prosperity, maternal mortality has reduced nearly 80 percent since 1995, with women accounting for over 40 percent of total employment, and more than half of internet start-up founders.

Xi pointed out in his address that the cause of women in China has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes, noting that Chinese women truly hold up "half the sky" in economic and social development.

Luz del Carmen Cordero, professor of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said that the achievements of women's cause in China demonstrate the wisdom and responsibility of a major country in promoting gender equality, noting that achieving women's all-round development requires the organic combination of institutional guarantees, policy support and social-cultural guidance, balancing efficiency and fairness as well as development and inclusiveness. Cordero added that China's practices provide valuable reference for the global women's cause.

China's remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality is truly impressive, said Mohammad Delwer Hossain, a professor in the Department of Public Health at North South University in Bangladesh.

Hossain noted that China's efforts to improve women's and children's health through strengthening its public health system and achieving near-universal health coverage offer valuable experience for other countries.

NEW COMMITMENT

Xi also pointed out in his keynote speech that China actively provides opportunities and support for global women's cause through its own development. To further support the development of women worldwide, he announced China's initiatives in funding, projects, exchange and training programs and capacity building.

Nicole Ameline, a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, welcomed Xi's announcement that China will donate another $10 million to UN Women in the next five years.

"As a global leader and economic power, China represents a leading and positive force for accelerating equal and inclusive access to education worldwide. The support for the multilateral system is key to the progress and stability of the world," said Ameline.

"I was very happy to hear China's commitment to funding towards UN Women, which I think signals ambition to support the costs of gender equality," said Thorbjorg Sigridur Gunnlaugsdottir, Minister of Justice of Iceland, to Xinhua. She noted that for a country to achieve comprehensive development, it must empower women.

China has provided momentum to the global women's cause through education, inclusion and empowerment, said Fajer Rabia Pasha, executive director of the Pakistan Alliance for Girls' Education.

China's initiatives -- such as South-South cooperation, scholarships, and technical exchanges -- have helped women and girls in developing countries gain education, skills and leadership opportunities, she added.