During a training program in Dongguan, Guangdong province, southern China, in June 2026, Saba Aliyeva, a participant from Azerbaijan, realized the necessity of mastering technology after her first encounter with AI photo editing. She was one of 51 women from 10 countries who took part in two training programs focused on digital entrepreneurship, technological empowerment, and artificial intelligence. These programs were organized to help women from developing countries acquire skills for the digital age.
The experience of these participants reflects China's continuous efforts to transform digital technologies into real opportunities for women. This concept is also highlighted by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and UNESCO Special Envoy for Girls' and Women's Education. During a video address at the 2026 UNESCO award ceremony for girls' and women's education on Friday, Peng called on the international community to strengthen professional education and training for women, as well as expand digital and intellectual education to enable them to use and benefit from these technologies.
She noted that China's application of artificial intelligence to improve educational quality has contributed to progress in gender equality in education and the comprehensive development of women, providing valuable experience for Global South countries. The demand for such empowerment is significant. A study by the International Finance Corporation showed that greater participation of women in e-commerce markets in Africa and Southeast Asia could bring over $300 billion in revenue between 2025 and 2030.
China is expanding women's digital skills through national digital literacy and rural development initiatives, including training courses and support for women-led e-commerce enterprises. In 2024, 14,147 women received professional skills certifications as AI trainers, accounting for 42.3% of the annual total. Furthermore, women constitute more than half of entrepreneurs in China's internet sector and about a third of workers in new fields such as digital commerce, e-commerce, and streaming.
China also shares its experience internationally. The Center for Global Exchange and Cooperation on Women's Digital Empowerment, established in July 2025, reflects the goals outlined by President Xi in his congratulatory letter at the SCO Forum on Women in 2024. In this letter, he expressed China's readiness to work with all parties to promote scientific and technological innovation and women's development through digital empowerment.
Beyond skills training, China advocates for inclusive digital governance. Through its Global AI Governance Initiative, launched at the third Belt and Road Forum, China has called for eliminating gender bias in AI development. Moreover, China supported the UN General Assembly resolution on 'Enhancing International Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building' to improve digital inclusivity and advance gender equality.
As Peng said on Friday, educating girls and women sows seeds of hope, nurtures dreams, and brings happiness. By combining practical skills training with international exchange and cooperation, China contributes to efforts to ensure that more women can utilize digital technologies, participate in the digital economy, and benefit from digital transformation.