From March 10 to 21, 2025, the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) was grandly held at the UN Headquarters in New York. Zhang Yinjun, Founder and Chairperson of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, led a delegation to attend the event. She delivered speeches at multiple key occasions, sharing China’s practical experience in adolescent health education, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. The delegation demonstrated the responsibility and commitment of Chinese social organizations in advancing the global women’s agenda.

Promoting the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and Advancing Global Gender Equality

As a UN-accredited special consultative organization, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation actively voiced its perspectives during the conference, emphasizing the critical role of education in promoting gender equality and sharing its experiences in adolescent HIV prevention, sex education, and maternal education. On March 12-13, the conference focused on national mechanisms for gender equality and women’s empowerment, calling on countries to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her speech, Zhang Yinjun highlighted the foundation’s commitment to equipping women and adolescents with the knowledge and preventive measures necessary to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) once praised Changier’s approach as "turning off the tap at the source"—preventing problems before they arise. The foundation’s initiatives not only align with the core objectives of CSW but also offer valuable insights from China for global efforts in women’s empowerment.

Baha'i International Community Seminar: Education for Empowerment and Global Peace

On March 12, Zhang Yinjun was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the seminar "Comprehensive Partnerships: Women’s Advancement as a Prerequisite for a Peaceful Society," hosted by the Baha'i International Community. She emphasized that women’s education is not only the cornerstone of social equity but also a prerequisite for global peace. She pointed out that China has significantly increased female education rates, leading to a transformative leap from poverty to prosperity—an experience that offers valuable lessons to the world.

In her address, she called for a reformation of the global education paradigm, advocating for maternal education to precede child education and ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to wield the power of knowledge. She cited an example from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where women repurpose spent shell casings into farming tools, illustrating the importance of granting women access to resource distribution. Her speech resonated deeply with attendees and further stimulated discussions on the relationship between women’s education and global peace.

CSW69 15th Plenary Session: Turning Gender Equality Promises into Action

On March 18, Zhang Yinjun was invited to participate as a civil society representative in a high-level dialogue at the 15th Plenary Session of CSW69, alongside government representatives from five countries. She emphasized that advancing the status of women requires the joint efforts of governments, businesses, and social organizations to translate commitments to gender equality into concrete policies and actionable implementations. She introduced the Beijing Changier Education Foundation’s long-term initiatives to support women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, including psychological support, health education, and social protection programs.

Particularly, she highlighted the foundation’s focus on gender equality education for adolescents through campus advocacy, sex education curricula, and international exchanges. These efforts aim to cultivate youth leadership, ensuring that the next generation becomes a driving force for gender equality. Her speech received high acclaim from delegates, earning enthusiastic applause. The official CSW69 conference agenda and website provide access to videos and transcripts of the session.

Changier Foundation Hosts CSW69 Parallel Side Event: "Building an Accountability Framework for Gender Equality Commitments"

On March 19, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation hosted a CSW69 parallel side event titled "Building an Accountability Framework for Gender Equality Commitments." The event brought together global experts, civil society leaders, and youth representatives to discuss effective mechanisms for implementing gender equality commitments. At the event, Kalimot Odegbode, a renowned Nigerian lawyer and education advocate, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of accountability in advancing gender equality and urging global stakeholders to take greater responsibility. Zhang Yinjun proposed three key action initiatives: 1. Establishing a legal protection framework; 2. Developing a data monitoring platform; 3. Strengthening grassroots empowerment mechanisms. She stressed that gender equality is not just a matter of social justice but also a key driver of global sustainable development. The event lasted nearly three hours, attracting close to 300 participants who engaged in high-frequency online interactions through comments and discussions.

Additionally, the side event explored topics such as policy implementation, healthcare equity, and education empowerment, while examining new models of collaboration between civil society organizations and corporations. The discussions reinforced the unique role of nonprofit organizations in driving social change.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

At CSW69, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation showcased the active role of Chinese social organizations in the global women’s empowerment movement. By sharing China’s experiences, the foundation fostered international cooperation and strengthened connections with UN agencies and global nonprofit organizations. Looking ahead, the foundation will continue leveraging its UN special consultative status to deepen global partnerships, contribute to gender equality, and advance adolescent health education.

This conference demonstrated the global responsibility of Chinese social organizations and highlighted the influence of civil society in shaping international discourse. Through its persistent efforts, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation not only promoted the advancement of women’s status but also offered innovative solutions from China for achieving global gender equality.