China’s leadership in promoting women’s rights and gender equality has earned high praise from Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who hailed Beijing’s consistent dedication to empowering women through meaningful initiatives such as hosting the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women.
Speaking to Xinhua News ahead of her visit to China for the summit, Amarasuriya said the meeting will strengthen the world’s resolve to advance women’s development and equality. She noted that Beijing’s decision to host another major women’s summit, thirty years after its first, shows a deep and lasting commitment to the global women’s movement.
“It’s vital to remind the world that women’s issues must remain central in all development discussions,” Amarasuriya emphasized.
She pointed out that women in many developing countries still face serious economic challenges, including low wages, limited job security, and poor access to social protection. Such inequalities, she explained, restrict women’s full participation in society and decision-making.
“To create real change, we must make structural reforms that ensure women’s access to education, healthcare, and the economy, while giving them an active voice in leadership and policy,” she said.
Amarasuriya praised China’s achievements, noting that Chinese women today are more confident, independent, and engaged in public life. She described this as one of China’s most remarkable contributions to global gender equality.
She also highlighted China’s ability to address systemic inequality through its political and economic systems, saying the country has made visible progress in empowering women both socially and economically. “China is not only supporting its own women but is also showing readiness to take leadership in global women’s empowerment,” she added.
The Sri Lankan leader expressed optimism about future cooperation between Sri Lanka and China in advancing gender equality. She mentioned that both nations have strong women leaders and share a commitment to improving education and healthcare — key sectors that affect women and children most.
Amarasuriya also extended gratitude to China for providing school uniform fabric to Sri Lanka, describing it as a generous act of friendship.
Looking ahead to the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, she said she is excited to share experiences with female leaders from around the world and reflect on how far women’s development has come in the past 30 years.
“This summit is an opportunity to renew our commitment and remind the world that women must remain a priority in political and development agendas,” she said.