China hosts 2014 African women seminar

Women from six African countries have hailed the People’s Republic of China for hosting the 2014 African Women Seminar, saying it has offered them a platform for discussing political and economic issues affecting their respective countries.

The seminar, which has attracted 24 participants from different sectors, aims at strengthening the relationship China has with African countries and also enhancing the role of women in society.

In an interview, Zu Qunying, a professor of education from the Party and Administration School of Fujian Province, said the role women play in society need to be recognised.

“Research has shown that women’s participation at different platforms of the society across the world keeps dwindling and the figures are alarming which is quite sad. It seems the world still looks at women as belonging to the kitchen and not contributors to the world at large,” said Qunying.

According to her, the aim is not to make women rise to the highest positions “but to spread across the whole value chain of the society and take leadership positions”.

The seminar has attracted participants from Malawi, Zambia, Egypt, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

—Paida Mpaso, is reporting from the seminar in Fuzhou, China