The celebration of International Women’s Day at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria focused on empowerment and equality, recognizing women’s global contributions. The event, themed “Her Story and Future,” aligns with the United Nations IWD theme for the year. Ambassador Yu Dunhai highlighted the progress made by women over the past three decades in various fields, emphasizing that gender is no longer a barrier to human exploration when women have equal access to education and resources.
China has prioritized women’s rights through a robust legal framework, resulting in increased life expectancy and greater female participation in the workforce. Ambassador Dunhai also emphasized the significant roles women play in China’s political events and their contributions to national development.
The cooperation between China and Nigeria has led to improvements for Nigerian women in areas such as medical resources, agricultural training, and entrepreneurship. This partnership aims to benefit Nigerian women further under the “Belt and Road” initiative. Acting Permanent Secretary Oraeluno Raphael praised women’s importance and resilience, acknowledging their vital contributions across various sectors.
The celebration also highlighted the achievements of women and the importance of their stories in shaping the future. Women have consistently broken barriers and contributed to society in various fields, from science and business to arts and leadership. The event underscored the need to continue supporting women to thrive and lead in all spheres, with a call to recognize the value of women’s stories and the importance of gender equality advocacy by men as key allies.