Educating girls remains a challenging task for Africa. Data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) show that in Sub-Saharan Africa, the completion rate at the lower secondary education level for girls was, on average, 47 percent, and 27 percent at the upper secondary level in 2023.
On the other side of the planet, a project initiated by China's Children and Teenagers' Fund has sponsored over 4.2 million poverty-stricken girls in the country over the last 35 years, helping them go to school and achieve their dreams.
As leaders from African countries gathered in Beijing to deepen cooperation at the ongoing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the topic of education for girls and women has once again attracted the attention of both sides, especially that of the leaders' spouses.
On Thursday, Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of education for girls and women, was joined by over 20 spouses of African leaders in Beijing to attend a meeting on the topic.
"China and Africa should work together to promote fairer, more inclusive, and higher-quality education for girls and women in the entire world," Peng said during her speech at the event.
The gathering highlighted the shared commitment of China and Africa to empower women through education. By collaborating on educational initiatives, both sides aim to address the challenges faced by girls and women in accessing quality education, fostering a brighter future for the next generation.
The event underscored the importance of international cooperation in achieving gender equality in education. With joint efforts, China and Africa are poised to make significant strides in promoting educational opportunities for girls and women globally.
Reference(s):
Empowering women with education: a shared goal of China, Africa
cgtn.com
