Kenya has hailed its partnership with China for playing a critical role in accelerating women’s empowerment and economic inclusion. Speaking during the High-level Dialogue on delivering the Beijing+30 Action Agenda in China, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Anne Wang’ombe, highlighted the significant progress made over the past three decades since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Wang’ombe acknowledged China’s instrumental support through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), citing collaborations with institutions such as the China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Kenya China Economic Trade Association. These partnerships, she said, have opened up job markets for Kenyan women and enhanced their access to economic opportunities, particularly through inclusive development and digital transformation initiatives.
“Kenya is strengthening South-South collaboration to build enabling ecosystems and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age,” Wang’ombe stated. “As we mark Beijing+30, we are building bridges that connect policy to progress, and commitments to communities.”
The Beijing+30 Action Agenda marks 30 years since global leaders gathered in 1995 to adopt a comprehensive framework for gender equality. At the recent dialogue, Kenyan officials reaffirmed their commitment to the vision laid out in Beijing, while celebrating milestones achieved in collaboration with international partners.
Deputy Ambassador of Kenya to China, Lynette Mwende Ndile, emphasized the importance of commemorating this milestone with China, noting that the partnership has fostered tangible benefits for Kenyan women.
“Three decades after the Beijing Declaration, we are seeing real change on the ground. Women in Kenya are increasingly participating in economic activities, leadership, and innovation,” she said.
Harriette Chiggai, Women Rights Advisor to the President of Kenya, added that economic empowerment remains central to lifting women out of poverty and enabling them to become self-reliant.
As the world reflects on 30 years of gender equality progress, Kenya’s engagement with China stands out as a model for how global partnerships can catalyze local change and ensure that women and girls are not only included but empowered to thrive.
