The China Women’s Film Festival opened Friday at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, spotlighting women’s role in advancing sustainable development and reinforcing Nigeria-China cooperation.
Running from October 10 to 13, the festival features four acclaimed films exploring women’s contributions to family, society, and the economy.
During the opening ceremony, Chinese Embassy Minister Zhou Hongyou emphasized the link between women’s progress and national prosperity.
“Women are a vital force driving social development,” he said. “China has integrated women’s development into its national strategies to ensure that prosperity is shared equitably and development becomes more substantive, sustainable, and inclusive.”
He further urged urgency toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, noting that “as the 2030 deadline approaches, nations must act faster and more decisively to eliminate gender gaps and empower women in all sectors.”
Zhou also referenced China’s upcoming 2025 Global Summit on Women, describing it as “a key platform for advancing global gender equality and building consensus for shared growth.”
Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant on Creative Economy, Rukkayah Mohammed, said the festival aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Program, which prioritizes inclusion and women’s empowerment.
“Through creative platforms like this festival, we amplify women’s voices, promote inclusion, and expand economic participation,” she said. “Gender equality is not just a goal, it is a driver of national development. We must invest in women’s creativity as a pathway to achieving the 2030 Agenda.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Gabriel S. Zock, stressed the importance of storytelling in promoting equality.
“When women tell their stories, societies evolve,” he said. “Cinema is a powerful tool for shaping perceptions, promoting inclusion, and building partnerships that support SDG-focused growth.”
The festival showcases four Chinese films: The Dumpling Queen, The Beautiful Life, Song of Spring, and Her Story, each portraying women overcoming challenges in business, education, family, and urban life.
Organizers noted that the event also builds on outcomes from the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), underscoring the connection between cultural diplomacy, women’s empowerment, and the global development agenda.
“By sharing these stories, we hope to strengthen cultural understanding and promote a shared vision where women everywhere can thrive,” said Zhou.
