Peng Liyuan, UNESCO Special Envoy for Girls' and Women's Education and wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, joined UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Beijing to mark the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education. The event celebrated global efforts to advance gender equality through education, with award-winning projects from Kenya and Lebanon receiving recognition.
In her keynote address, Peng emphasized the transformative power of education in empowering women to navigate societal changes and pursue their aspirations. 'Empowering women through education has enabled millions to gain confidence, choose their life paths, and realize their dreams,' she stated. Highlighting the dawn of the 'intelligence era,' Peng called for intensified focus on women's scientific education to equip them with technological skills and innovation capabilities. 'We must ensure women can fully participate in the technological revolution,' she urged.
China, Peng noted, remains committed to strengthening women's scientific education and deepening collaboration with UNESCO. Azoulay praised China's contributions to global education initiatives, stating, 'UNESCO looks forward to expanding cooperation with China to achieve greater progress in girls' and women's education.'
The ceremony, attended by 300 diplomats, educators, and UN representatives, also featured a photo exhibition showcasing the impact of 20 award-winning projects from 19 countries since the prize's inception in 2015.
