Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for greater participation of women in politics and national governance, saying gender equality must be “truly internalised” within society.
He made the remarks at the Global Leaders Meeting on Women in Beijing, co-hosted with UN Women, aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and global gender parity.
Leaders from Iceland, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Dominica, and Mozambique attended the summit, which focused on advancing women’s development and social inclusion.
Xi urged countries to “broaden channels for women to participate in political and decision-making processes,” adding that peace and stability are essential for women’s all-round development.
He noted that women now make up nearly half of China’s higher education students and about 43% of the employed population, reflecting major strides in education and workforce participation.
The Paradox
Despite these gains, China’s top political bodies remain overwhelmingly male.
In 2022, no women were appointed to the 24-member Politburo or its seven-member Standing Committee, marking the first time in 20 years that the ruling party’s upper echelons lacked female representation.
The United Nations in 2023 raised concerns about this absence, recommending that China introduce gender quotas and parity laws to speed up women’s inclusion in governance.
Why It Matters
Xi’s renewed call for women’s participation comes at a time when China faces an ageing population and record-low birth rates, challenges that have prompted authorities to reemphasize family values.
Scholars say Xi’s tenure has seen a decline in women’s political representation and a widening gender gap in the workforce, despite the government’s rhetoric on equality.
His framing of women’s role as central to “family harmony” and “national progress” underscores a tension between traditional family expectations and modern gender equality goals.
Women’s rights advocates and international observers cautiously welcomed Xi’s remarks but noted the gap between policy rhetoric and reality.
UN Women praised China’s investment in education and workforce equality but reiterated the need for structural reforms to ensure women’s representation in leadership positions.
Domestic activists, meanwhile, say political culture and social norms still limit women’s pathways to senior decision-making roles.
What’s Next
The summit signals Beijing’s intent to project itself as a global voice for gender equality, but observers say progress will depend on tangible policy changes, including representation targets within the Communist Party.
As China continues to host international forums on gender inclusion, all eyes will be on whether Xi’s government translates words into action by promoting women into its next leadership cycle.
With information from Reuters.
