Chinese President Xi Jinping's declaration that "every woman is a star" in China's modernization journey resonated through a new CGTN survey spanning 38 countries. The poll of 7,292 respondents reveals growing global consensus on women as drivers of economic growth, with particular recognition of China's approach to gender equality.
Three-quarters of global respondents actively follow women's issues, rising to 81% in developing nations. Education emerged as the top priority for women's advancement (92%), followed by political participation (87%) and healthcare (86%). Younger demographics showed stronger engagement, with 79% of under-44 respondents tracking gender equality developments.
The survey highlights shifting economic dynamics: 86% of female respondents noted women's growing consumer influence, while 88% endorsed grassroots "girls help girls" initiatives as effective empowerment tools. Media representation also scored high, with 76% agreeing diverse female characters foster social inclusion.
China's achievements drew particular attention, with 72.8% of developing-world respondents praising vocational training programs. The country has lifted 690 million women from poverty since 1995 while reducing maternal mortality by 80%. Women now constitute over 40% of China's workforce and claimed 60% of Olympic medals in recent Summer Games.
Areas demanding continued focus include employment access (91.8% priority in developing nations) and social security systems (90.6%). Conducted with Renmin University of China, the survey sampled respondents aged 18-65 across developed and developing economies, weighted to reflect national demographics.
