This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing Conference) and the 5th anniversary of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment. It is also the target year for China to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society and eradicate absolute poverty.
In this context, today's meeting, co-organized by the All-China Women's Federation and UN Women and themed “Women and Poverty Reduction in the 21st Century” is of special significance. I wish to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations on this meeting and my best regards to the distinguished guests.
Both the Beijing Conference and Global Leaders’ Meeting are important milestones in women's development. Twenty-five years ago, the Beijing conference adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These two documents had a far-reaching impact on the protection of women's rights and the advancement and empowerment of women, and provided action guidelines for countries to promote gender equality.
Five years ago, China and UN Women co-hosted the Global Leaders’ Meeting. President Xi chaired the meeting and delivered a speech. More than 80 global leaders attending the meeting pledged to take action to promote gender equality and women's all-round development. A new blueprint was drawn up for implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Over the past 25 years, countries around the world have taken big steps to turn the vision outlined in the two documents into reality, thus advancing the welfare of women around the world. Consensus for greater gender equality is growing; more vigorous actions are being taken to promote women's development; and the environment for women to live and thrive keeps improving.
China has stayed active in advocating and advancing the global course of development for women and poverty reduction.This year, China will lift out of poverty all of its rural residents living below the current poverty line, meeting the SDG targets on poverty reduction 10 years ahead of schedule. This will be a major contribution to the progress of mankind.
China is committed to alleviating poverty for women. A series of policy measures have been taken for that purpose covering economic development, employment and entrepreneurship, cultural programs and education, social security, health and charity programs. Notable results have been achieved. Out of the over 700 million Chinese lifted out of poverty, half of them are women. Many Chinese women have responded to the call of their country to eradicate absolute poverty. They have not only graduated from poverty themselves, but also helped others pursue a better life. In China's poverty reduction endeavors, women are truly “holding up half the sky”.
In my capacity as UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls’ and Women's Education and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for TB and HIV/ADIS, I have visited different countries and regions, and talked with people of different nationalities and backgrounds on poverty eradication and empowerment for women. I am especially impressed by my exchanges with many outstanding women who have walked out of poverty with their own strength and resilience. I strongly believe that women are not just beneficiaries of poverty reduction programs. More importantly, women are participants and contributors. For all the major achievements in poverty reduction worldwide, the toil and endeavor of women are to be recognized.
It must be noted, however, that inequality still exists between men and women in terms of rights, opportunities and access to resources. Globally, far more women are living in poverty than men. On top of that, COVID-19 has brought new challenges to women in poverty reduction, education, health, employment and protection of rights. Poverty for women is poverty for mankind. Gender equality and power eradication remain two daunting tasks that require our strenuous efforts.
Here I want to call on people in different countries and different sectors to take action: First, to give women equal access to quality education and job opportunities so that women's development will go in tandem with social and economic progress. Second, to ensure basic health and medical services to women so that no women will be impoverished or relapse into poverty because of medical costs. Third, to foster a harmonious and inclusive social environment free from discrimination and prejudice against women so that all women will enjoy a better and happy life.
让我们弘扬北京世妇会和全球妇女峰会的精神，携手同心，为推动构建人类命运共同体而不懈奋斗。
Let us continue to be inspired by the Beijing Conference and the Global Leaders’ Meeting. Let us work tirelessly for a community with a shared future for mankind!