China supports tech that empowers women
As technology becomes indispensable in everyday life, experts and exchange students underscored the growing demands from developing countries for China to offer technological support to empower women.
“Technology in the internet age is no longer a luxury nor is it a hobby, and digital literacy has become a necessity. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the global population, mostly in rural areas and especially women, have been left behind in the digital revolution,” said Reginald Tuleni Ndokotola, chief social worker at the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia.
Ndokotola added that it is imperative to dismantle barriers concerning affordability and geographic locations and advocate for equal opportunities in tech-related courses and jobs.
She made the remarks at the unveiling ceremony of an exchange and training base for global women’s development cooperation. The event was co-hosted by the China International Development Cooperation Agency and All-China Women’s Federation in Beijing on Monday.
“Student programs and entrepreneurship in China are fused with technological advances, which has opened our eyes as international students to the practicality of digital technology for women,” said Ndokotola, who is also in a master’s program at China Women’s University in Beijing.
Judith Nakanda, a 40-year-old from Kampala, capital of Uganda, also participates in the program.
Recalling her stay in China for nearly two years and her previous community work in rural areas in her country, Nakanda said she was shocked by the huge number of Chinese women who are studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and even women in China’s rural areas have the access to get in touch with technology.
“Back home, we don’t have so many women going to such courses or have the opportunities to engage in research, simply due to factors like traditional norms, financial barriers and family issues,” she said.
Nakanda said that gender equality is not about fighting against men, but rather empowering women to participate in decision-making processes to speak for themselves.
Smriti Aryal, country representative for United Nations Women China, said it is estimated that more than 340 million women and girls will be living in extreme poverty by 2030 if current trends persist, and China has an important role in assisting developing countries.
“With China being a long-standing South-South Cooperation partner and finance provider, there is immense potential to rejuvenate commitments for gender equality and interconnected gender targets across all sustainable development goals,” Aryal said.
Huda Ali Shareef, charge d’affaires of the embassy of the Maldives in China, said, “China’s efforts to promote global cooperation in the field of women’s affairs are commendable steps toward advancing gender equality and women’s comprehensive development on a global scale.”