Photo: Xinhua

In September 1995, over 17,000 representatives from 189 countries and territories gathered in Beijing for the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. The historic conference adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, marking a milestone in the history of safeguarding women's rights and promoting gender equality. 

When the final text affirmed that "women's rights are human rights," the venue erupted in prolonged applause. The Platform's 12 critical areas of concern and actionable recommendations remain guiding principles to this day, serving as a blueprint for advancing gender equality worldwide.

The Beijing World Conference on Women illuminated "half the sky" of human society. Over the past three decades, powerful message of the conference has unleashed many positive changes around the world. Gender equality and women's empowerment have been integrated into the UN Millennium Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Countries and territories have enacted 1,531 legal reforms to remove discriminatory laws and safeguard women's rights. Women's issues have become global priorities, and gender equality has emerged as a universal goal for sustainable development.

For China, the Conference was not only a commitment to the international community but also a powerful driving force for women's development domestically. 

Just three months after the conference, the Chinese government issued the Outline for Women's Development in China (1995-2000). To date, four such outlines have been implemented, establishing a national framework for women's development goals. 

The better protection of women's rights has become a key component of Chinese modernization. 

China has enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law and revised the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests. Women's average life expectancy has risen to 81 years, and female students now account for over half of all higher education enrollments. Women's political participation has reached historic levels. Women make up more than 40 percent of the total workforce and represent 55 percent of entrepreneurs in the internet sector. 

China's women's cause has risen to unprecedented heights, achieving historic progress in safeguarding women's rights in the new era.

But the development of women's cause cannot be taken for granted. In March 2025, UN Women released the report "Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing," revealing that nearly one in four countries report backlash on women's rights in 2024. Gender discrimination remains deeply embedded in the structures of economies and societies. 

In developing regions, persistent poverty and backwardness continue to block women's equal access to education, employment, and healthcare. And in developed countries, women still grapple with domestic violence, invisible barriers, and career ceilings. 

Meanwhile, amidst profound changes unseen in a century, the resurgence of geopolitical rivalries and social conservative movement in many countries, along with challenges like the digital divide and climate change, bring new challenges to the global women's cause and demand fresh answers for our times.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that without women's liberation and progress, the liberation and progress of mankind would not be attainable. The full progress and all-round development of women is an ongoing journey.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, China will convene a Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Beijing in the latter half of this year, demonstrating its commitment to support and lead the development of global women's cause.  

Beijing has witnessed the unity of women worldwide and the remarkable achievements of China's women's development. It is hoped that through the global leaders' meeting, countries can join hands to refocus the world's attention on women's cause with constructive dialogue and cooperation, reigniting their solemn commitment to the Beijing Declaration. Together, we can accelerate the realization of gender equality and propel the global women's cause to set sail once again from Beijing.

The author is a commentator on international affairs.opinion@globaltimes.com.cn