In a significant move to bolster women’s education, Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls’ and women’s education, hosted a conference in Beijing on Thursday. The event, themed “Join Hands to Empower Women Through Education in China and Africa”, was held during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The conference brought together 26 spouses and representatives of African countries’ leaders attending the summit. The gathering aimed to strengthen collaboration between China and Africa in promoting women’s education and empowerment across both continents.
In her speech, Peng Liyuan highlighted the crucial role of education in uplifting women and fostering socioeconomic development. She emphasized the shared commitment of China and African nations to create opportunities for women and girls to access quality education.
“Education is the cornerstone of societal progress,” Peng stated. “By empowering women through education, we unlock the potential for sustainable development and mutual prosperity in both China and Africa.”
Wang Yaping, China’s first female astronaut to work aboard the country’s space station, also addressed the conference as a representative of outstanding Chinese women. She shared her inspiring journey and encouraged young women to pursue their dreams in science and technology fields.
“I hope my experience can motivate more women to explore the vast possibilities that education and perseverance can offer,” Wang said. “Together, we can reach for the stars and achieve greatness.”
The conference served as a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas on enhancing educational initiatives for women. Attendees discussed strategies to overcome challenges such as gender disparities in education, access to resources, and cultural barriers.
The 2024 FOCAC Summit continues to strengthen ties between China and African nations, focusing on cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The commitment to women’s empowerment through education underscores the shared vision for inclusive growth and development.
(Cover image: Themed flower beds for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Beijing, China, September 2, 2024. /CFP)
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Peng Liyuan, spouses of African leaders attend themed conference
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