CGTN Poll: Salute to the incredible power of women

"On the new journey of Chinese modernization, every woman is a star," Chinese President Xi Jinping said while addressing the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing.

A survey conducted by CGTN, targeting 7,292 respondents across 38 countries, reveals a broad consensus on women's role as a crucial force driving economic and social progress, as well as wide recognition of China's philosophy and achievements in advancing women's development.

The level of women's development is regarded as a key indicator of overall social and economic progress, and promoting women's well-rounded development is an essential goal for sustainable growth. The survey shows that 74.9 percent of global respondents pay attention to women's issues. This figure rises to 80.9 percent among respondents from developing countries and exceeds 79.1 percent for those under 44. Notably, 71.7 percent of respondents in developing countries agree that women's rights are effectively protected.

When assessing outcomes in protecting women's rights, global respondents prioritized education (92 percent), political participation (87 percent), and health (86 percent).  Approval rates among respondents aged 35 to 44 were generally higher than the average in these areas.

In an evaluation of women's hot topics, 86.1 percent of female respondents acknowledge the significant increase in women's consumption power and influence. Meanwhile, 88 percent viewed "girls help girls" initiatives as an effective way to safeguard women's rights and interests. Furthermore, 76 percent agreed that portraying diverse and multidimensional female characters in films and television dramas helps foster a more inclusive environment.

On areas for continuous improvement, global respondents prioritized education (91.5 percent), health (90.6 percent) and employment (89.5 percent). Meanwhile, in developing countries, 91.8 percent of respondents expressed a desire for continued promotion of women's employment, and 90.6 percent hoped for continuous improvement of social security for women.

Thanks to years of hard work, China has secured historic achievements and seen historic changes in the cause of women: 690 million women were lifted out of poverty, and the maternal mortality ratio has been reduced by nearly 80 percent since 1995. Today, women in China truly "hold up half the sky" in economic and social development. They make up more than 40 percent of the workforce and more than 60 percent of all medalists in the past four Summer Olympic Games.

On satisfaction with the achievements in China's endeavors concerning women, 72.8 percent of respondents from developing countries gave positive feedback on China's efforts in providing skill training for women and supporting their development. Respondents from developing countries also ranked their satisfaction highly in areas such as "safeguarding women's rights, interests and safety through legal channels," "balancing the gender ratio in higher education," and "continuously improving social security for women." Furthermore, when evaluating "China's achievements in promoting women's participation in economic, cultural, and social affairs" and "the global contribution of China's efforts in advancing women," respondents from Africa, Asia, and South America expressed the highest levels of agreement.

The survey was jointly conducted by CGTN and Renmin University of China through the New Era International Communication Research Institute, covering major developed countries as well as the Global South. Respondents were aged 18 to 65, with the sample distribution reflecting national census data on age and gender.