Global Leaders' Meeting on Women just wrapped up in Beijing—bringing back Gertrude Mongella, affectionately known as “Mama Beijing,” to reflect on 30 years of gender equality progress since the 1995 conference. 🎉💪
Back in ’95, Mongella led the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. The result? The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a global blueprint to boost women’s rights and opportunities worldwide. Think of it like the ultimate action plan to level up in education, health, and work. 📘✏️
Organizers spent years prepping, from grassroots meetups to national roundups, making sure everyone—governments, NGOs, community groups—could weigh in. That big think-tank vibe turned into real momentum: women’s voices got louder, and change started to roll. 🌍✨
Fast-forward to today, and many regions have woven the Beijing Platform into their game plans. In Africa, for example, Tanzania set up “gender focal points” in every ministry—plus programs on education, health, economic empowerment, and stopping violence against women. The African Union even has a whole roadmap to keep the momentum going. 🚀
At this year’s Beijing meetup, Mongella was all about the future. She says the world isn’t turning back—there’s still a bumpy road ahead, but the goal is clear: equal rights, peace, and a place for everyone. President Xi Jinping’s keynote added fuel to the fire, promising support for projects in China and beyond, and calling for true partnerships instead of one-sided aid. 🤝🌐
From Colombo to Ho Chi Minh City, young change-makers can link arms and keep driving this mission forward. We’re all on this planet together—so let’s make it fair and fab for everyone! 🌟
Reference(s):
Gertrude Mongella: China's role in advancing global gender equality
cgtn.com
