Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Tuesday called for global efforts to drive education for girls and women in a fairer, more inclusive and more qualified direction, and contribution to promoting global sustainable development and building a community with a shared future for humankind. 

Peng, also a special envoy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the advancement of girls' and women's education, made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the 2022 UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education ceremony in Paris.

Peng said educating girls and women is not just about women's self-development, but about promoting the sustainable development of society.

Noting that the recently convened UN Transforming Education Summit emphasized the important role of education in advancing gender equality, Peng called for empowering women through education reform.

China attaches great importance to the education of girls and women, and the ability and contribution of women in socioeconomic development has been increasing, she added.

Funded by China, the prize is the only one under the UNESCO in the field of promoting girls' and women's education. It has played a significant role in advancing gender equality and excellent practical experience, and implementing gender equality as a global priority, and it has gained universal attention and high remarks from the international community.

The prize honors outstanding and innovative contributions made by individuals, institutions and organizations to advance girls' and women's education.

(Cover: Students pose for a photo in front of a mural of color pencils near their school in Mumbai, India, August 1, 2022. /CFP)