Beijing Women's Federation

This year's International Women's Day, March 8,is unusual and of great importance. It coincideswith the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference onWomen and with sucha critical moment as the human race battles the novel coronavirus.The Beijing Women'sFederation (BWF)organized a series of online exchange activitiesto commemorate this special day based on Chinese and foreign women's consensus.

 

Sharing Good Wishes, Delivering Confidence, Strength

 

On the eve of International Women's Day, foreign diplomats and friends of Chinese people in Beijing sent video clips and messages to BWF to back up the city's anti-virus efforts and express condolences to women who are fighting on the front line. They also shared their thoughts and feelings about this special occasion.

 

As a reply, BWF President Zhang Yajun wrote a letter expressing heartfelt thanks for the foreign diplomats' and friends' support and confidence in prevailing over the pandemic together.

 

BWF produced a short video featuring the warm greetings as a special gift for all women in China and abroad and posted iton Guangming Daily's Facebookaccount and other social media including Twitter.

 

In that video, Anwar Alabdulla,Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to China, says, "I would like to praise Beijing women's essential roles and social responsibilities in the prevention and control of the corona virus epidemic based on their respective posts."

 

 

Baktygulova Kanaiym, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to China, says, "We believe that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, with the Chinese President Xi Jinping as its core leader, the Chinese people will be bound to win a victory in its battle against COVID-19. In addition, the important role of women in this tough battle must also be highlighted."

 

Ina Marciulionyte, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to China, says, "You are not alone. We stand by you and please feel a part of big international family."

 

Mohamed Mbae, Charge d'Affaires Acting Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros, says, "We are confident that under the leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, China will defeat this disease."

 

Zolekha Boukhelfa, Spouse of the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to China, says, "The Algerian women are staying side to side with the Chinese women. They admire their determination, their courage and their discipline."

 

Christiane Adovelande, Spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to China, says, "In this season, the whole nation of China is fight the coronavirus epidemic. Women have to respond to the high demands of work just as their fellow men. They went through the same pressure. This is a real example of equality."

 

Kameliya Kiriy, spouse of the Bulgarian Ambassador to China, and her two daughters sent wishes in three languages. They say, "Ladies, Congratulations on International Women's Day 2020. You are the beginning essence and support of life. Stay strong, compassionate, love and independent."

 

Ann Kldiashvili, Spouse of the Georgian Ambassador to China, says, "Women deserve equal platform and are as needed as their male colleagues in any field and any level of society."

 

Zahra Jidda, Spouse of the Nigerian Ambassador to China, says, "Unfortunately for us in China, we have the virus and it's keeping us away from each other. But all the thing we are together in spirit, our heart are with you."

 

Amani Altartir-Al Husseini, Spouse of the Jordanian Ambassador to China, says, "It is particularly important that we send this message from Beijing after 25 years of the Beijing’s declaration. And watching women's role and contribution in the fight against the COVID19 in china is another testimony of how women can advance humanity."

 

Sara Al Madi, Spouse of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to China, says, "People from all around the world are praying for you. I Love China. Wuhan jiayou, China jiayou!"

 

Rafif Al-Sayed, Spouse of the Syrian Ambassador to China, says, "It is also an opportunity to consider the Chinese women a good example and an inspiring model for all women in the world."

 

Sonia Khaled, Spouse of the Tunisian Ambassador and President of the Arab Ambassador's Spouses Group, Beijing-China, says, "We would like to take this opportunity to express, as a group, our admiration for the effective measure that have been taken by the Chinese authorities to tackle the spread of the virus.We are confident that China will overcome shortly the spread of the novel corona-virus epidemic."

 

As the epidemic situation of COVID-19 has been worsening in South Korea, Kim Young Aeh, President of the Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture and Economy, says, "We are deeply touched by the enormous support from the Chinese government and all walks of life. We firmly believe that winter will eventually pass and spring is sure to come. We also believe that we will overcome whatever hardship lies ahead with concerted efforts."

 

The families of Mohadeseh Barzegar Bafrouei, from Iran, and Emily Roblin, from Canada, who were both announced as the "most beautiful families" in Beijing and have lived in Beijing for years, believed that all women are connected with each otherand expressed their gratitude to all the people who have helped them. Other people who have sent their International Women's Day greetingsand showed support to China included Virginia Tan, who is from Singapore and a founder of the She Loves Tech global startup competition, Miatta Momoh, a promoter of China-Africa culture exchange from Sierra Leone, and women who attended the Gender Equality for a Better World International Youth Action Beijing 2019.

 

Spreading Beijing Women's Anti-virus Stories

 

To commemorate the special day, BWF launched a special page on its English website (www.beijingwomen.org.cn), through such sections as Letter to Her, All the Best Wishes to Her and Her Beijing Stories 2020, to tell the moving stories of women in the capital in this special period.

 

Women's federations at all levels in Beijing have played their role in containing the epidemic by organizing women to donate, caring for families of medical workers who went to assist the fight in Hubei and providing services to groups with special needs.

 

Individuals, including nurses, volunteers and deliverywomen, have also been active in the fight against COVID-19.They all stuck to their posts and devoted themselves to work. They commemorate this unique International Women's Day with courage and resolution.

 

Beijing will give further play to its advantages as an international exchange center. Local women will accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action, and join hands with fellow women from various countries to build a better world for women and for all.