China, UN address women's development post-2015

The International Forum on Women opened in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss how to ensure better future development of women across the world in line with the recently-adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seeks to "achieve gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls" before 2030.

On Oct. 14 in Beijing, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the UNDP in China jointly hold the International Forum on Women to address gender equality and women empowerment in the post-2015 era. [Photo by Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

The two-day forum, jointly initiated by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, is seeking insights into "globalization and the development of a female-based economy," "poverty alleviation and the development of rural women," "women's education and role in society" as well as "equality and empowerment of women" from scholars and activists in the field of women's rights as well as women leaders.

At the opening ceremony, CSCLF's Deputy Chairman Qi Mingqiu said gender equality was a global concern, and progress in dealing with gender discrimination was reflected in how women were playing a larger, more active role in all aspects of society, politics and the economy.

"Women are creators of materialistic and spiritual civilizations; they are an important force to drive forward social development and progress. Without women, there wouldn't be humankind," said Qi, quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping's address delivered at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in New York last month.

Yet, there was a long and rough road ahead before the 'gender equality' ideal becomes reality. "Women still don't enjoy equal rights, opportunities and allocation of resources," said Qi, adding that the constant appeal for gender equality indicated that extensive inequality still existed.

Meanwhile, Agi Veres, UNDP country director in China, declared:"Gender equality is central to human development and serves the practical purpose of influencing the efficiency and sustainability of development efforts. Empowerment and participation of all people advances when gender is no longer a hindrance."

She quoted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as saying: "The world will never realize 100 percent of its goals if 50 percent of its people cannot realize their full potential."

This year marks the 20th anniversary since the fourth UN Women's Conference was held in Beijing. In the intervening years, tremendous advances have been made in gender equality and women empowerment. The Beijing Platform for Action, the guideline for action adopted at the 1995 Women's Conference opened the way for policies to promote gender equality.

As a result, many countries have enacted laws and legislations to remove discrimination and address violence against women and girls. Maternal mortality has fallen by nearly half from 1990 levels. The gender gap in primary education has closed; more girls are in school, and more women are in the labor force, according to the UNDP.