China’s Women’s Rights Conference: Two Decades Later and the Moral High Ground

China is set to host another significant women’s rights conference, three decades after a landmark event in 1995 that emphasized the connection between human rights and women’s rights. Hibaaq Osman, a key figure from the original conference, reflects on the global feminist movement’s momentum at that time, highlighting the impactful role of American NGOs and the U.S. administration in advocating for women’s issues.

Three decades after a pivotal women’s rights conference in Beijing, China is set to host another event addressing women’s issues. The original gathering galvanized worldwide action, marking a significant moment in the promotion of women’s rights, as emphasized by Hibaaq Osman, who attended the 1995 conference. Osman recalls, “If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, once and for all.”

Osman vividly remembers the determination of 30,000 women who attended, despite challenging weather conditions, aiming to confront both personal and political issues. She acknowledged that diverse cultural backgrounds did not hinder their collective efforts. At that time, the U.S. feminist movement was prominent, significantly influencing the conference through the involvement of American NGOs, which facilitated progress in women’s rights discussions.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was regarded as a key figure at the event, with his administration being perceived as a major advocate for feminist issues. Osman noted, “Clinton was widely seen as a ‘rock star’ for women’s rights,” underscoring that there were still debates on specific topics such as reproductive rights. However, she viewed the movement as a broader, more inclusive feminist agenda serving a global purpose, rather than solely a U.S.-centric approach.

China’s upcoming women’s rights conference presents an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and current challenges in women’s rights globally. As the U.S. appears to be regressing in some aspects, questions arise regarding China’s position and moral standing in the global dialogue on women’s rights. The legacy of past conferences highlights the importance of a unified feminist agenda transcending national boundaries.

Original Source: www.scmp.com