Mozambican Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi has underlined the renewed global commitment to women’s advancement catalysed by the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, held in Beijing from 13–14 October 2025. In an interview with Xinhua News Agency during the event, Levi stressed that the gathering offered an important forum for reviewing progress, exchanging knowledge, and reaffirming international responsibilities in promoting gender equity.
The Beijing forum marks a continuation of the legacy of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in the Chinese capital in 1995, widely recognised as a watershed moment for global policy on women’s rights. Levi noted that the opportunity to share country-level insights at the 2025 meeting enabled governments to reassess strategies, correct inefficiencies, and move forward with renewed purpose.
Levi praised China’s strategic and responsible role in championing women’s development. According to Chinese government data, over 690 million women in China have benefited from the country’s goal of achieving moderate prosperity. Women currently comprise more than 40 percent of China’s workforce, and are visibly represented in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and competitive sports. For Levi, this model is not merely a national success but a case study in possibility for other countries in the Global South.
Within the Mozambican context, Levi pointed to significant strides in female education, public administration, and leadership. The increasing representation of women in senior governmental and institutional roles signals a broader shift in societal structures, empowering women across economic and governance sectors. These achievements reflect not only internal policy reforms but also a deepening commitment to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) frameworks for gender equality.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mozambique and China—ties that Levi described as “extremely solid” and mutually respectful. In recent years, these ties have yielded tangible benefits across sectors including vocational training, higher education, infrastructure, and healthcare. China has notably provided hundreds of scholarships for Mozambican students, and investment in technical and vocational education has grown under this bilateral arrangement.
In terms of cultural diplomacy, the Mozambique-China Cultural Centre has become a vital node of people-to-people exchange. Levi underscored its importance in building mutual understanding and respect. Anticipating next year’s China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, she expressed hope that such initiatives will deepen continental cultural linkages and offer a more plural and humanised understanding of African societies beyond reductive development paradigms.
Infrastructure development remains another cornerstone of Mozambique-China cooperation. Levi highlighted the Maputo-Katembe Bridge—the longest suspension bridge in Africa—as a symbol of transformative investment. This project has enhanced Maputo’s north-south connectivity, stimulated local commerce, and improved social mobility. Furthermore, the proposed National Surgical Centre in Maputo, to be constructed with Chinese support, is expected to become one of the largest health institutions in the country, expanding access to specialised medical services.
While acknowledging the significance of China’s partnership, Levi’s remarks also reaffirm Africa’s agency in defining its developmental priorities. Her emphasis was not on dependency but collaboration grounded in sovereignty, where knowledge exchange and solidarity underpin mutually beneficial outcomes.
The Prime Minister’s reflections highlight a more multivocal, non-Western narrative on women’s development and international cooperation—one that resists simplistic depictions of Africa as a passive recipient of aid. Instead, her vision centres Africa as a dynamic actor, actively shaping global agendas and reclaiming its role in transnational partnerships.
As global discourse on gender equity continues to evolve, platforms such as the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women provide an opportunity for countries like Mozambique to reassert their commitment, learn from others, and contribute to a global fabric of solidarity and progress, rooted in historical consciousness, social justice, and human dignity.
