A Journey of Overcoming Challenges Towards a More Equal Future

A Journey of Overcoming Challenges Towards a More Equal Future

UN Women is a global champion for gender equality and women’s empowerment. We work to create a world in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. We are a trusted partner for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life. Working in China since 1998, initially as UNIFEM, UN Women provides technical and financial assistance to innovative programmes and strategies for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

A WORD FROM OUR COUNTRY

REPRESENTATIVE

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I wish you and your loved ones a healthy, peaceful and prosperous Year of the Dragon. In this annual newsletter, I am proud to share some of UN Women China’s top results from 2023. We are most grateful for the many partnerships that made these achievements possible, particularly when multiple points of crisis are slowing steps towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Conflicts, economic downturn, the climate emergency and a pushback against women’s rights are among the many concerns that have left the world as a whole lagging far behind on Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality (SDG 5). If current trends continue, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030. Globally, it is estimated that USD 6.4 trillion per year is needed, covering nearly 70 per cent of population in 48 developing countries, to achieve gender equality in key areas and to support more equal participation of women in society by 2030. We reinforce our dedication and call for continued support and increased investment to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls everywhere.

Despite challenges, 2023 also saw many welcome achievements linked to gender equality, such as the creation of the International Day of Care and Support. It galvanizes much needed global attention to the immense economic and social value of unpaid care and domestic work women shoulder disproportionately. It emphasizes the importance of investing in the care economy and creating robust, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive care systems with a view to recognizing, reducing, valuing, and redistributing unpaid care and domestic work carried out predominantly by women.

In China, the passing of the revised Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests is a stepping stone towards advancing women’s rights agenda in the country; it came into effect in January 2023. Noteworthy revisions include the concept of sexual harassment and an explicit outlining of the responsibilities of schools and employers in preventing and addressing sexual harassment. As a legal framework to protect the rights, needs and interests of women and girls in China, this is an important tool for addressing the remaining gender gaps and challenges, and continuing to pursue women’s all-round empowerment.

In my fifth year in China, I truly appreciate the opportunity to have met so many outstanding Chinese women leaders from all different walks of life. I have been so inspired and motivated to see how their personal commitment is bringing real and tangible impacts to the lives of so many other women and girls in the country, and how they actively contribute to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through the power of their conviction and influence as leaders.

As always, UN Women’s dedication to women’s rights and gender equality remains unwavering. We know that the same is true for our many partners, and I again extend heartfelt appreciation to you all. In 2024, our collective commitment and a shared responsibility to accelerate positive changes through collaboration and strengthened international cooperation will be more important than ever.

Smriti Aryal

Country Representative, UN Women China

MAKING ECONOMIES WORK FOR WOMEN

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INFLUENCING THROUGH ADVOCATING POLICY AND CONVENING PEOPLE

Generating and sharing new knowledge

UN Women published five knowledge products in 2023.

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LEADING THE JOINT UN EFFORT TO ADVANCE GENDER EQUALITY

FINANCING FOR A GENDER EQUAL FUTURE

PARTNERING FOR CHANGE

CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

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COMMUNICATING FOR IMPACT

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VOICES FROM OUR BENEFICIARIES AND PARTNERS

Shining moments

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A GROWING OFFICE MOVING FORWARD