Dominica: President Sylvanie Burton visited to Beijing on Saturday, Oct 11, 2025 to participate in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, which is co-hosted by the Government of China and UN Women from Oct 13 to 14, 2025.
The high-level gathering has brought together the heads of state, government leaders and representatives from international organisations to discuss the ways to accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide.
The meeting held in 2025 is coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the landmark framework adopted in 1995 to advance women’s rights across social, economic and political spheres.
At the Meeting, President Burton conveyed her anticipation for the event in China, by emphasising her eagerness to explore ways to further promote women’s causes globally. She also expressed her interest in understanding efforts made by China to improve living standards for women and their families.
Burton underlined the profound impact of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was adopted during the 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on Women, noting that this landmark document has significantly influenced international perspectives, fostering a more positive outlook on women’s empowerment and equality.
She stated that after the Beijing Declaration and the Platform of Action, they saw that the government of Dominica ensured that in every budgetary allocation they had to show that they would be empowering women or would be creating some avenues for gender equality.
According to the President Sylvanie Burton, the countries can evaluate their progress, identify areas that needs improvement and determine future steps. She stressed upon empowering women which extends beyond individual benefits, it uplifts families, children and youth by making ongoing efforts vital in this realm.
Furthermore, Burton praised China for its tangible initiatives that aims at fostering women’s development. She noted that China allocates targeted funding to support grassroots and vulnerable women, helping them to improve their living conditions through better housing and education.
She also highlighted China’s leadership as an example and said that the country demonstrates how women can be empowered both at community and international levels through employment, representation, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of their nations, communities and families.
Sylvanie Burton observed that since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 2004, Chinese supported projects have notably enhanced the quality of life for women in Dominica. She mentioned about the first-ever cardiology surgery in the country, that was made possible through a Chinese-assisted cardiology unit, which benefitted a woman.
Burton also noted the collaborative efforts such as the construction of the Dominica-China Friendship Bridge, new housing for indigenous women-led households and improved roads connecting Roseau and Portsmouth
Notably, these projects have facilitated safer and easier travel by enabling women to access education and support their families more effectively.
She said that China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and recognised the Global Governance Initiative as instrumental in advancing women’s progress.