Inspiring Women China Launches Online Platform

By staff reporter ZHOU LIN

Inspiring Women China, a British Council programme based on a successful initiative in the UK, officially launched its online platform on 4 December in Beijing. The programme aims to inspire girls and young women about the world of work, to raise their confidence and aspirations and enable them to make better informed choices about their career options. The online platform will enable this initiative to grow to scale across China with teachers able to connect with and invite volunteers in any chosen field or area to talk with students in their school or college.

  Guests are launching the online platform "Inspiring Women China"

The launch was itself a celebration of inspiring women: Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE addressed the guests, Rio Paralympics gold medal winner Susie Rodgers shared an enthralling account of her journey to win a Team GB gold medal, and Ma Feng, a graduate from Educating Girls of Rural China, founded by Ching Tien, described her path from rural Gansu Province to studying at Liverpool University in the UK.

Ms. Yang Lan, one of China's most successful female media entrepreneurs, and Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, Her Majesty's Ambassador to China, are patrons of Inspiring Women China.

Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, Her Majesty's Ambassador to China, said: "I have made a personal pledge, as the first female Ambassador to China, to be a convener of successful women during my tenure. I am excited to be the patron of Inspiring Women China; and that successful Chinese women are lining up to volunteer a small amount of time to talk to young people about their education and professional experiences. Together let's support women and girls to aim high and climb far."

 Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, British Ambassador to China

Sir Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of the British Council says: "I am delighted that Inspiring Women China is launching at scale today. This is an initiative that is close to my heart, as it so clearly represents British Council values; it demonstrates the UK's commitment to young people, it's about inspiring the next generation of girls to raise their aspirations in education, to fulfil their potential in society, and to make the greatest possible contribution to social and economic development. A great example of the ways in which we look to meet our commitments to the SDGs! We know that no country can truly develop without unlocking the full potential of women and girls so it is imperative that we each look to ourselves to see what we can do to achieve this."

According to the British Council, Inspiring Women China is based on a successful UK national initiative launched by the Education and Employers Taskforce charity in 2013. The initiative encourages girls in particular to give consideration to occupations outside of those based on traditional gender roles.

Carma Elliot CMG OBE, Director of British Council China

The launch of Inspiring Women China is a proactive response to China's interest in addressing the women's agenda. In 2015 and 2016, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong proposed that women be added to the UK-China People to People Dialogue as the eighth theme. The launch of the Inspiring Women programme in China helps to position gender equality and women empowerment at the core of the UK-China relationship, and will contribute positively to the Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Sustainability Development agenda. Girls in STEM Education and Women entrepreneurship speak particularly well to the education agendas of both countries.