Carrying Forward Silk Road Friendship and Discussing Women's Future

The "Silk Road on Fingertips – 2023 Silk Road Women's Forum," organized by the All-China Women's Federation and Shaanxi Provincial People's Government and operated by the Shaanxi Women's Federation and Shaanxi Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, took place in Xi'an on November 16.

Over a dozen representatives from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries shared successful practices and personal experience in fields such as political engagement, economic growth, and cultural creation, exploring new ways to enhance women's access to opportunities, foster shared development, and promote overall prosperity among participants.

H.E. Oliver Wonekha, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to China,  delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

"I am Uganda's first female Ambassador to China," Wonekha said, highlighting in her opening address the increasing focus on women and the growing number of female entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals, stressing their potential to contribute positively to national development.

An interview with Nyima Jammeh, President of the Commonwealth Society of Beijing and Wife of the Ambassador of Gambia to China 

Nyima Jammeh, President of the Commonwealth Society of Beijing and Wife of the Ambassador of Gambia to China, emphasized the need to strengthen women's place in society, calling for more women to represent an ever-increasing range of society and work towards safeguarding their rights and interests. She also emphasized her belief that women ought to establish their own businesses and actively participate in national progress.

Wang Yu'e, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Chairman of Shaanxi Women's Federation, speaking during a special session

Wang Yu'e, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Chairman of Shaanxi Women's Federation, spoke of the unique chance the times were creating for the stories of Silk Road women to be heard far and wide.

"The Belt and Road Initiative offers the wives of ambassadors and African women a unique framework for positively impacting women from marginalized groups of society," Ndong Ella, President of the Group of African Ambassadors' Spouses in Beijing and Wife of the Ambassador of Gabon to China Christiane, said during an interview, going on to speak of her intention to implement similar policies for African women in China during her term and also expressing her hope for fruitful cooperation between the Group of African Ambassadors' Spouses and the All-China Women's Federation, comparable to the successful China-Africa cooperation.

An interview with Christiane Ndong Ella, President of the Group of African Ambassadors' Spouses in Beijing and Wife of the Ambassador of Gabon to China