As the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaches in 2025, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jennifer Shipley has emphasized its enduring role in advancing gender equality. Shipley, New Zealand's first female premier and a participant in the landmark 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, called the declaration a vital roadmap for empowering women globally.
'The Beijing Declaration remains a blueprint for progress,' Shipley said, reflecting on its legacy. 'High-level female representation isn't just symbolic—it's transformative.' Her remarks come as the Chinese mainland prepares to host the Global Summit of Women later this year, an event expected to spotlight Asia's growing influence in shaping gender-inclusive policies.
Shipley stressed that equitable participation in leadership—from corporate boardrooms to political arenas—strengthens economies and fosters innovation. Analysts note that Asia-Pacific nations, including New Zealand and the Chinese mainland, have seen incremental gains in women's political representation since 1995, though systemic barriers persist.
The upcoming summit in China could provide a platform for cross-regional collaboration, particularly as nations reassess post-pandemic recovery strategies through a gender-responsive lens.
