Embassy of UAE in Beijing and UN in China co-host dialogue to emphasize importance of Women’s Empowerment

Participants included UN agencies, key stakeholders in China, members of the diplomatic community, and international organizations, with a shared interest in advancing Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world, with education key in attempting to reverse the gendered patterns of discrimination. From 2000 to 2021, the gender gap in out-of-school rates has greatly diminished in all three stages of education, although regions have progressed at different rates. Globally more girls are going to and staying in school than ever before; however, as many as 48.1 per cent of girls remain out of school in some regions.

The dialogue saw opening remarks from H.E. Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to China, and Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China, with both emphasizing the importance of women and girls having the opportunity to complete all levels of education, and acquire the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market.

“The UAE believes in the unique and fundamental role women and girls play in achieving development and prosperity in their communities, and the only way a society can aspire to sustainable economic growth and development is through education, especially the education of women and girls,” said H.E. Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to China.

“Today, the UAE has committed to ensuring women’s inclusion in its foreign aid policy. Its prioritized themes are aligned with the UN SDGs and gender equality, the empowerment of women, in particular, are at the core of the UAE’s foreign aid programming and projects.”

“Education and skills development is the foundation of human development and women's empowerment. UNESCO estimates that just one additional year of schooling can increase a girl’s earnings by 20% when she grows up. On the contrary, a World Bank study shows that limited educational opportunities for girls could cost countries between 15 to 30 trillion dollars in lost lifetime productivity and earnings. Unfortunately, too many girls are still held back from acquiring their desired education,” said Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator in China.

“Greater action and investment are needed in the field of education and skills development for women. The dialogue today forms part of our efforts to reinforce the advocacy and work of the UN and our stakeholders, including Member States like the UAE, to accelerate the global progress on the SDGs, and leave no one behind.”

In responding to these challenges, the dialogue saw guest remarks from Ms. Reem Ketait, Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Ms. Li Ying, Dean of the School of International Education, China Women’s University and All-China Women’s Federation Executive Leadership Academy.

“As a founding member of the Women Entrepreneurs Financing Initiative, the UAE has contributed USD 50 million in support of 300,000 women gaining access to finance, market, and networks throughout different regions in the world,” said Ms. Reem Ketait, Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

“China's investment in education, especially in women and girls' education, is one of the fundamental reasons and prerequisites for China's unprecedented achievements in poverty alleviation and development,” said Ms. Li Ying, Dean of the School of International Education, China Women’s University and All-China Women’s Federation Executive Leadership Academy.

The dialogue also featured a panel discussion on the topic of “Accelerating SDGs progress: education and skills development for women’s economic empowerment”, with insights shared by Ms. Mei Ruo, Director of Beijing Hongyan Social Work Service Center, Ms. Ching Tien, founder of Educating Girls of Rural China, Ms. Lin Liu, Rural Commissioner of Alibaba Group to Qinglong, Ms. Lin Jialei, Program Manager of Women’s Economic Empowerment, UN Women China Office, Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women-UAE Liaison Office for the GCC, and Ms. Anna D’Addio, Senior Policy Analyst from UNESCO.

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For further information, please contact:

Ms. Annie, Media Researcher, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Beijing

Tel: +8610-65327650-660, Email: annieangran@outlook.com

Ms. Louise Xi LI, Head of Communications, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in China

Tel: +8610-85320725, Email: xi.li@un.org