China, Nigeria Unite to Support Women’s Empowerment Through Film

By: Michael Mike

China is partnering with Nigeria and other nations to drive the comprehensive advancement of women worldwide, with a plan at opening a new chapter in global gender equality and empowerment.

Speaking during the celebration of the China Women’s Film Festival, the Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou,
highlighted China’s deep-rooted policy of promoting gender equality, noting that the Chinese government has consistently supported women’s advancement in education, employment, and social status.

He explained that the upcoming Global Women’s Summit will focus on strengthening gender equality and empowering women as key drivers of sustainable progress. The summit aims to align international efforts with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring that women’s rights and opportunities remain central to global development goals.

“This year’s summit will focus on promoting gender equality and women’s development, and on advancing the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.

The envoy further revealed that China credits women as a central force in its rapid economic and social transformation, emphasizing their indispensable contributions to national progress.

“Chinese women have fully utilised their intelligence, talents and creativity, playing an indispensable role in China’s transformation from a poor and backward country to a world economic powerhouse in just over the past 50 years,” he stated.

He added that China also incorporates women’s development indicators into its national planning system, making gender equality a key measure of broader economic and social progress.

“China has integrated women’s development goals and tasks into its five-year plan for national economic and social development, using the status of women’s development as a key metric for assessing broader economic and social progress,” he added.

Hongyou further stressed China’s global outlook, particularly its cooperation with Nigeria and other countries, to promote women’s empowerment and sustainable progress worldwide.

“China is working with the Nigerian side and other countries around the world to accelerate the comprehensive development of women and open a new chapter in the advancement of the women’s cause globally,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zock, commended China’s ongoing partnership with Nigeria in promoting cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as the China Women’s Film Festival. He emphasized that such collaborations not only celebrate women in film but also deepen creative and cultural ties between both nations.

He said: “I commend the Embassy of China and the China Cultural Center in Nigeria for their consistent commitment to building cultural diplomacy and fostering creative exchange between our two nations, Nigeria and China. This festival is another bridge linking our creative communities, inspiring new possibilities for cooperation, artistic collaboration, and knowledge exchange,” he stated.

Zock also stressed Nigeria’s dedication to gender inclusion and empowerment, revealing that the National Assembly is actively working to ensure greater female representation in governance, aligning with broader global goals for gender equality.

“Just like how we are doing in the National Assembly now, we are trying to amend the Constitution and make a reserve seat for 30% women inclusion in governance. By God’s grace, in the coming years, more women will take their rightful place in leadership and decision-making across our nation,” he said.

He highlighted the unifying power of art and culture, stressing that collaboration between Nigeria and China can lead to a future where creativity, peace, and prosperity thrive.

“Together, Nigeria and China can champion a creative future where talent knows no bounds and where art continues to unite humanity. When women tell their stories, society evolves; and when nations exchange their art, peace and prosperity follow. Let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to make cultural diplomacy a cornerstone of development and mutual understanding,” he added.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, H.E. Iman Suleman-Ibrahim, Ms. Rukkayah described the China Women’s Film Festival as a distinguished platform that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to connect nations and inspire change.

“It is a great honor to join you at this year’s China Women’s Film Festival a distinguished platform that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to connect nations and inspire change. Through the art of film, we are reminded that stories have the power to bridge cultures, ignite compassion, and build mutual understanding across borders,” she said.

She noted that the festival coincides with renewed international reflection on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, underscoring its lasting influence on global gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“This festival holds a special significance as it coincides with the renewed global reflection on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action a landmark framework that has guided three decades of advocacy for women’s rights, gender equality, and empowerment. As the world revisits the spirit of Beijing, we reaffirm our shared duty to ensure that every woman and girl, everywhere, lives freely, fulfilled, and empowered to reach her full potential,” she added.

Rukkayah also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing programs designed to uplift women, strengthen families, and support vulnerable groups.

“For Nigeria, this moment aligns closely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places people at the heart of national development. Through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programme, the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs is driving transformative initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment, strengthen the family system, enhance child protection, and improve welfare for vulnerable groups building a more inclusive, just, and compassionate society,” she said.

She further emphasized the growing partnership between Nigeria and China in promoting women-led innovation, cultural diplomacy, and creative exchange.

“Deepening collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria holds immense promise for advancing women’s development. China’s success in leveraging culture, technology, and social innovation provides valuable lessons for Nigeria. Together, our partnership can expand opportunities for capacity-building, creative industry exchange, and women-led entrepreneurship particularly in film, digital storytelling, and cultural diplomacy ensuring that women’s voices continue to shape communities and inspire global progress,” she stated.

China, Nigeria Unite to Support Women’s Empowerment Through Film