Power of She

The year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. In September, a conference titled Women and Poverty Reduction in the 21st Century was jointly held by the All-China Women’s Federation and UN Women, a UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, told the conference that over the past 25 years, much progress has been made globally in promoting gender equality consensus, launching more women empowerment plans and improving the social context for women’s life and development.

To mark the occasion, ChinAfrica talked to Zambian Ambassador to China Winnie Natala Chibesakunda and Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke, inviting them to share their views on women’s status in current society and women’s role in social development. Below are edited excerpts of their views:

More Progress Needed

Winnie Natala Chibesakunda

Zambian Ambassador to China

The status of women in Zambia has generally improved in recent years, in areas such as education and training, poverty status, employment, gender equality and decision making, gender violence and [uplifting the] girl child. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has instituted multiple policies aimed at ensuring that progress is achieved in the aforementioned areas. However, more progress is needed.

With regard to education and training, an increase has been reflected in female representation in decision making through affirmative action. The Ministry of Education has put in place several measures to monitor equitable access to education at all levels. Great efforts have been made to continue delivering quality education and providing an education system that equips women through provision of life skills in schools.