On March 10, the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) opened at the UN headquarters in New York to review the progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Huang Xiaowei, Deputy Director of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, led the Chinese delegation at the conference. 

In recognition of the 20-year efforts of the Changier Project in HIV/AIDS prevention and sex education for youth, as well as the Motherly Love Project’s contributions to maternal education and women’s empowerment, Zhang Yinjun, Director of the Chinese Office for AIDS Prevention Education for Youth and Founder/Chairperson of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, participated in this global event.

Huang Xiaowei emphasized that, as the host country of the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, China has always actively fulfilled its commitments to promoting women’s development in tandem with economic and social progress. She introduced China’s continuous efforts to enhance institutional safeguards, increase funding, and implement a systematic policy framework for women’s empowerment. Huang shared China’s experiences in promoting gender equality by comparing the remarkable improvements in poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education for women over the past 30 years. She highlighted China’s rapid progress in women’s development, citing specific initiatives such as encouraging girls to pursue STEM education, female astronauts teaching science from space, women scientists serving grassroots communities, and women playing a crucial role in local governance, all of which illustrate the essential contributions of women in China’s modernization.

In his opening speech, UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the progress made toward gender equality worldwide and urged nations to accelerate their efforts to ensure the full protection of women's and girls’ rights. Guterres emphasized the pivotal role of innovation and technological transformation in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, calling for collective global efforts to prevent the marginalization of women in the digital age and ensure their full participation and benefits in technological advancements.

During the conference, Zhang Yinjun and the Beijing Changier Education Foundation delegation actively participated in multiple events, including: "How Organizations with Consultative Status Can Better Engage in UN Affairs and Play a Greater Role", "Technology and Women’s Empowerment – Perspectives from the Global South", "Macau, China: The Path to Gender Equality and Empowerment Since the Beijing Declaration".  The Changier delegation also met with UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) officials Masumi Ono and Wook-Jin Chang alongside representatives from the China NGO Network for International Exchanges and the China International Exchange Association. During these interactions, the Changier team shared their proactive efforts in promoting youth mental and physical well-being and women’s empowerment in China. They highlighted the foundation’s successful philanthropic initiatives to support women and children in East Asian and African developing countries, helping protect them from HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases while promoting equal education opportunities. By showcasing these achievements, Changier demonstrated China’s commitment to global cooperation in advancing women’s rights. The foundation pledged to implement China’s international commitments from this conference through concrete actions and continue fulfilling its special consultative role at the UN, providing professional and philanthropic support from China’s civil society to global discussions.

Established on June 21, 1946, the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) operates under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as the primary decision-making body dedicated to gender equality and the advancement of women worldwide. Each year, representatives from member states gather at the UN headquarters in New York to promote global gender equality and women’s empowerment.

This year’s session will conclude on March 21. The Beijing Changier Education Foundation delegation included Chen Qiuhui, Du Liwen, Cheng Zhigang, Wang Huiying, Bai Jiarui, Liu Yuhan, Wang Yuan, She Jingqian, Li Jianfeng, She Rong’en, Wang Chaofang, and Chen Cheng, all of whom actively participated in various activities.