From 1995 to Today: How Beijing Shaped the Global Fight for Women’s Rights
Three decades after the historic Fourth UN World Conference on Women, trailblazer Gertrude Mongella – affectionately dubbed 'Mama Beijing' – returned to the Chinese capital for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women. The event, held October 13-14, reignited conversations about China's pivotal role in advancing gender equality worldwide.
🔑 Why It Matters: The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains the "blueprint for women's empowerment", Mongella told China Africa Talk. Over 189 governments adopted this revolutionary framework addressing education gaps, economic inequality, and systemic barriers faced by women.
"We Belong Here": A Tanzanian Icon’s Journey
Mongella’s eyes sparkled as she recalled the 1995 conference: "It made me an international citizen." Her grassroots-to-global mobilization strategy involved 2.5 years of global diplomacy, resulting in what she calls "a revolution with no turning back."
🌱 Africa’s Progress: Post-Beijing, Tanzania prioritized education, healthcare, and anti-violence measures. The African Union later integrated the declaration into its gender equality roadmap, with 25+ years of policy wins including women’s roles in peacebuilding.
Xi’s Vision: Accelerating Equality Through Partnership
At this year’s meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized cross-border collaboration: "We need governance that cares for all people," Mongella noted. His commitment to scaling up women’s programs globally – particularly through China-Africa knowledge sharing – drew applause.
🚀 What’s Next: While celebrating progress (more girls in schools, fewer maternal deaths), Mongella stressed: "The road is rough, but we’re still marching." With China hosting both milestone conferences, the message is clear: Gender equality isn’t just possible – it’s planetary teamwork.
