Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa on Thursday hailed significant progress African states have made to achieve gender parity in line with global declarations.
During his address at a pan African forum to review status of women empowerment in Africa, Liu noted that gender equality has gradually been realized in the continent thanks to robust legislation and political goodwill.
"Africa has made remarkable achievements in gender equality and women's empowerment. The system of laws and regulations to protect women's rights has improved while gender equality action plans have been formulated," said Liu.
A delegation from China attended the pan Africa forum to review progress in achieving gender parity in Africa.
China's participation at the forum was significant because the Asian giant hosted the fourth UN World conference on women where landmark declarations were adopted to narrow the gender gap.
Two decades ago, 189 governments adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to catalyze progress towards realization of gender parity in all spheres.
The Beijing Declaration identified 12 critical areas that nations should focus on to eliminate socio-economic and cultural barriers that confined women and girls to the margins.
Liu noted that African states have domesticated principles articulated in the Beijing Declaration to emancipate women from poverty, illiteracy and ill health.
"African women's participation in political decision making is particularly impressive. More and more women are playing an active role in the national, regional and global stage," Liu told the forum.
The sixth China-African cooperation forum to be held at the end of this year will also accord significant attention to women empowerment. Liu said that China could offer vital lessons to African countries to enable them to achieve gender related millennium targets.
"Like most African countries, gender equality in China has registered progress. Currently, girls' enrollment is above 99 percent. The proportion of female graduates has increased," said the envoy, adding that Chinese women have ventured into male dominated careers like aerospace, computer science, finance, trade and telecommunications.
China has inspired bilateral partners in Sub-Saharan Africa for making rapid progress in maternal health. Liu noted that China achieved the millennium target on reducing maternal deaths ahead of schedule.
China and UN Women will in September organize the global leaders meeting on gender equality and women empowerment on the margins of the UN general Assembly in New York.
Liu said the meeting will inject fresh impetus in the implementation of Beijing Platform for Action. He emphasized that gender equality is central to the realization of a prosperous and harmonious society.
