UN Women Chief Visits CWU, Accepts Honorary Professor Title

China Women's University holds a welcoming ceremony for UN Women Chief Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka during her visit on December 14. [China Women's University]

Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of the UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka delivered an address and accepted the title of honorary professor during a visit to China Women's University (CWU) on December 14.

Zhao Hongju, deputy director-general of the Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF); Li Mingshun, secretary of the CWU Party Committee; Liu Liqun, president of the university; other school leaders; and representatives of honorary professors and foreign students attended a meeting with Mlambo-Ngcuka before she gave her speech.

Li extended a warm welcome on behalf of the CWU, its faculty staff and students to Mlambo-Ngcuka for the visit. He said that the university has its own advantages and perspectives in the fields of women and gender studies, has taken part in the formulation of legislation and national policies concerning the protection of women's rights and interests and their development, and contributed its efforts to the promotion of women's growth worldwide.

Li lauded the consistent efforts and remarkable contributions made by Mlambo-Ngcuka to the implementation of gender equality, the battle against gender discrimination and violence, and the pursuit of a bright future for mankind.

He hoped that the university would further deepen its ties with UN Women and strive for bigger roles and contributions in the promotion of gender equality, women's growth and social progress across the world.

Speaking at the gathering, Mlambo-Ngcuka highly commended the consistent attention and support from Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government to the development of women's affairs worldwide, praised the China's achievements in the promotion of women's growth, and emphasized that the international community should draw inspiration from practices and experiences of China in the advancement of women's affairs.

Mlambo-Ngcuka conveyed her thanks to the CWU for its studies, research and practices in connection with the promotion of gender equality worldwide, and appreciated its efforts to provide young women from China and other countries with access to higher education.

Mlambo-Ngcuka gave high praise to the university for its dedicated efforts in the development of women's education, the protection of their rights and interests, and the realization of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Mlambo-Ngcuka hoped that a rising number of young people could acquire and make full use of modern technologies in improving the lives of disadvantaged women and other vulnerable groups, and in realizing gender equality as well as common prosperity.

Mlambo-Ngcuka pledged that UN Women would further strengthen its cooperation with the CWU in the promotion of women's common and all-round development across the world.

She answered students' questions concerning the public's expectations towards them, the importance of the global meeting on gender equality and women's empowerment to the realization of UN's Millennium Development Goals, and the UN's strategies to promote gender equality.

Liu, who presided over the event, said that the aspirations and commitments to gender equality and women's growth demonstrated by Mlambo-Ngcuka coincide with the missions and values observed by her university.

She echoed Mlambo-Ngcuka's proposals to further deepen bilateral cooperation and make joint contributions to the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment, the enhancement of women's leadership, and the cultivation of more female talents for developing countries.

Those present at the gathering included officials from UN Women and the South African Embassy to China.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka pays a visit to the CWU's library on December 14. [China Women's University]

Li Mingshun gives a speech at the gathering. [China Women's University]

Li Mingshun (R) presents a certificate of honorary professor to Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the gathering. [China Women's University]

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka delivers her address at the gathering. [China Women's University]

Liu Liqun [China Women's University]

Attendees at the gathering [China Women's University]

Participants pose for a group photo at the gathering [China Women's University]

(Source: China Women's University / Translated and edited by Women of China)