UNESCO and SNAEIA have rolled out the Empower-Her Initiative, a China–Africa programme designed to strengthen women’s leadership, skills and decision-making power in education.
The initiative gives rising and established women leaders from Africa and China a shared platform to exchange knowledge, build professional networks and sharpen their leadership and policy skills.
Running over four years, Empower-Her will bring together 60 women per cohort — 30 from Africa and 30 from China — through leadership development, policy dialogue, workshops, exchange programmes, mentorship and networking.
The programme was created to tackle ongoing gender gaps in education, STEM, digital skills, leadership and economic participation. It aims to open up stronger pathways for women and girls into emerging sectors while building a steady pipeline of women leaders and innovators.
Through annual forums and structured learning sessions, participants will connect with experts and leaders, share experiences and build skills across leadership, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and policy engagement.
The initiative will also drive mentorship, internships, exchange visits and peer learning, helping participants forge lasting professional and institutional ties between Africa and China.
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A central piece of the programme is building a long-term women leaders’ network and alumni community, keeping collaboration, joint projects and leadership pathways alive well beyond the formal activities.
UNESCO will lead on strategic and technical direction, help identify and select participants, broker partnerships and promote the initiative through its networks. SNAEIA will handle implementation and coordination on the ground, including programme delivery and engagement with Chinese institutions.
The initiative supports SDGs 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 17, and aligns with African priorities around education, skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
Through Empower-Her, UNESCO and SNAEIA are working to widen women’s access to leadership roles and a say in shaping the future of education, technology and development — while deepening China–Africa cooperation for the long term.
