New hub empowers future female leaders

On the afternoon of Oct 14, in a lecture hall at China Women's University, female leaders from diverse backgrounds and generations came together to unveil a plaque, officially launching the Global Center for Women's Capacity Building.

Students of the university also attended, their faces glowing with anticipation for this new global initiative aimed at empowering women and nurturing future female leaders.

The ceremony was held as a side event of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which took place in Beijing from Oct 13 to 14.

Sima Sami Bahous, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UN Women, delivered a speech at the gathering. "Women and girls are change agents, leaders, the great engine of progress. It is up to us to clear their path so that they may all enjoy the benefits," she said.

The creation of the center also responds to discussions at the high-level meeting on how to cultivate the next generation of female leaders and equip women with the skills needed to thrive in an era defined by digital and technological advancements.

When addressing female leadership, Anna Mutavati, a UN Women official who also attended the meeting, emphasized the importance of amplifying women's voices.

"It is so important to have the voices of women at the table when discussions are being made — about budget, about health, about education, about food security, and about everything else," she said.

She expressed delight at seeing so many outstanding women — heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, and professionals from over 100 countries and regions — working to drive change through the meeting.

She also encouraged young women to "get engaged". Leadership, she said, is not just for senior figures or government officials. The world belongs to all women, and they must continue to work together to protect their freedoms.

Maimona Khalid, the charge d'affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in China, offered more specific advice. "Educate yourself, learn about the international community, understand the world," she said.

"If you have a chance to travel, travel. If you don't have a chance, now this is the internet era, so learn about other cultures and civilizations, know how women are suffering in other countries, and recognize the gifts you have here in your country and work on yourself," she added.

Francisca E. Mendez Escobar, permanent representative of Mexico to the UN Office in Geneva, highlighted two unique traits of female leadership: generosity and positivity.

"[That's why] the world needs us in leadership and in all areas of progress," she said. "For young women, I always say that they are the present and the future of the world. So don't hesitate to be active participants in changes for society, especially in advancing gender equality."

Song Tingting, vice president of the video-sharing platform Kuaishou Technology, described the meeting as a "window to the future" for young women. It showed that "excellence" can take many forms, challenging any single definition of success and offering countless role models and sources of inspiration.

She noted that the topics discussed at the event — such as the digital economy, green development, and public service — highlight areas where young women can apply their talents in the future.

Digital ambition

As a successful woman in the tech industry, Song emphasized the new opportunities that digital technology offers for young women's growth.

"Resources that were once available only to a select few — such as voice, channels, and influence — are now more accessible than ever," she said.

Traditionally, Song noted, leadership relied heavily on positions and titles. Today, however, young women can build strong personal brands and influence specific fields by consistently sharing professional, engaging, and valuable content online.

She also acknowledged the digital gender gap, evident not only in women having limited access to technology but also in the gender biases embedded in the large language models widely used in today's artificial intelligence tools.

"This essentially mirrors the structural inequalities present in society," she said. "Addressing these issues is a long-term and systematic effort that requires the collaboration of governments, businesses, and society as a whole."

Shamira Juma Mshangama, a member of the National Council of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Youth Wing in Tanzania, echoed this view.

"To ensure that girls and children have the digital skills they need for the future, we must invest in and inspire young women to pursue studies in science," she said.

She also stressed that the most crucial factor for women is "having passion and believing that I can do this". For girls in under-resourced areas, she suggested, even starting with something as simple as using their phones can make a difference.

Around the world, young women are increasingly leveraging digital platforms and online communities to launch businesses and shape their own destinies.

Song highlighted the story of "Mizang Zhuoma", the Kuaishou handle of a 28-year-old Tibetan woman from Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province. She had previously foraged for mushrooms in the mountains, earning just a few hundred yuan per month. Later, through short videos and live streaming, she began helping local villagers sell agricultural products, enabling the community to achieve annual sales totaling millions of yuan. Her story was even featured in Time magazine.

"Empowering women and girls with digital skills is one of the most effective ways to help them secure dignity and opportunities for development in the future," Song said.

guiqian@i21st.cn