Editor's note: Jessica Durdu, a special commentator for CGTN, is a foreign affairs specialist and PhD candidate in international relations at China Foreign Affairs University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As the digital era accelerates, technology has become one of the most powerful forces reshaping the world's social, political and economic structures. Artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and digital platforms carry the promise of expanding opportunity for women by opening pathways in education, entrepreneurship, and employment.

At the same time, the digital divide, algorithmic bias and the prevalence of online violence risk reinforcing existing inequalities. For women worldwide, the digital age presents both historic opportunities and daunting challenges. This duality, i.e. technology as both an accelerator of equality and a magnifying glass of inequality, will be a central theme at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women that opens in Monday, marking the 30th anniversary of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women.

The opportunities arising from digital empowerment are evident. Online learning provides women and girls in remote regions with access to world-class courses. E-commerce has enabled female entrepreneurs to connect with global markets, often from regions where traditional employment opportunities remain scarce. In fields like data science, coding, and digital finance, once inaccessible to women, they are carving out new spaces.

Yet technology alone does not erase inequalities. The digital gender divide remains a persistent obstacle. According to research by the University of Oxford, women in developing countries are nearly 20 percent less likely to use mobile Internet than men. Online spaces that should foster dialogue often become arenas of harassment, silencing women's voices in politics, academia, and media. Algorithmic systems, designed to streamline efficiency, can replicate and even deepen stereotypes, whether in hiring practices or credit evaluations. These challenges demonstrate that without deliberate intervention, digital progress may leave many women behind.

China's approach is a story of scale and strategy, with nearly 40 million women working in science and technology, accounting for 45.8 percent of its total talent pool in these fields. This is not incidental, it reflects policies that integrate gender equality into national innovation strategies. Women are recognized not just as beneficiaries but as key drivers of China's digital future.

There are countless examples to illustrate this progress. On e-commerce platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo, women constitute more than half of online entrepreneurs. Many are from rural provinces, where digital platforms have opened new economic horizons. In research, more and more Chinese women are publishing their academic achievements in areas ranging from biotechnology to AI. These outcomes are tied to state-backed initiatives that support female-led startups, celebrate women scientists, and integrate gender representation into national development projects.

China's model integrates women's empowerment into broader strategic visions. Through Belt and Road Initiative partnerships, China is facilitating not only infrastructure but also digital training opportunities that empower women abroad.

In Africa, digital literacy programs supported by Chinese companies enable female entrepreneurs to expand into global supply chains. In Southeast Asia, women-led businesses are using Chinese e-commerce platforms to reach international consumers. These examples demonstrate how digital empowerment can transcend borders when linked to international cooperation.

Nonetheless, global progress remains incomplete. Even in developed countries, women are underrepresented in executive positions in top technology firms and research institutions. While inclusion at the workforce level is robust, leadership remains skewed toward men. This reflects a global pattern: Women often excel in entry and mid-level roles in science and technology but struggle to break through the glass ceiling. Addressing this imbalance requires a cultural reorientation that goes beyond policy quotas to fully recognize women as leaders in shaping innovation ecosystems.

The international community faces a choice. Digital transformation is inevitable, but its exclusivity is not. Governments, corporations, and international organizations must ensure that algorithmic transparency, online safety, and access to infrastructure are prioritized with a gender-sensitive lens.

The stakes are high. If women are excluded from the digital revolution, inequality will harden into new structural divides. But if empowered, women can drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth on a global scale. China's experience proves that progress is possible when digital empowerment becomes a national priority. The next step is to elevate this lesson to the global level, ensuring that technology fulfills its promise as a force for equality.

As the world navigates this digital transformation, the task is not simply to adapt but to imagine more inclusive futures. Women are not bystanders in this process; they are essential actors. As Mao Zedong once said, "Women hold up half the sky." In the digital age, ensuring that women hold up half the digital world is not just a matter of justice, it is a prerequisite for humanity's collective progress.

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