China Women’s Film Festival Opens in Abuja, Celebrates Women’s Strength Through Cinema

By Iyojo Ameh

The 2025 edition of the China Women’s Film Festival opened on Friday at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, spotlighting the power of women in film and reaffirming both China and Nigeria’s shared commitment to gender equality, cultural diplomacy, and creative collaboration.

The four-day festival, jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre, features four critically acclaimed, women-themed Chinese films — The Dumpling Queen, The Beautiful Life, Song of Spring, and Her Story.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Zhou Hongyou, representing the Chinese Embassy, described women as “an indispensable force in the development of human society,” underscoring China’s dedication to promoting women’s welfare and leadership both domestically and internationally.

“Women are not only the foundation of families and societies but also a vital force driving social development and progress,” Zhou said. “The Chinese government has always attached great importance to improving women’s social status and creating equal opportunities in education and employment.”

Zhou cited data from China’s latest government white paper highlighting milestones in women’s development.

“Today, 690 million women in China have achieved moderate prosperity. Women now account for 43 percent of the total employed population, and more than half of university students are female, with an average life expectancy of 80.9 years,” he noted.

He emphasized that China’s national development plans consistently integrate women’s advancement, reaffirming that the country remains “a practitioner and advocate of gender equality” on the global stage.

“China is willing to work with Nigeria and other countries to accelerate women’s comprehensive development and open a new chapter in women’s empowerment worldwide,” he added.

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Barr. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, praised the festival as a creative bridge between nations, saying it “celebrates storytelling as a tool for empowerment, resilience, and social transformation.”

“This festival comes at a time of renewed reflection on the Beijing Declaration, which has shaped decades of global advocacy for women’s rights,” she said. “Through President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is implementing social impact programmes that prioritise women’s economic empowerment, family systems, and child protection.”

Sulaiman-Ibrahim further emphasized the potential for collaboration with China in the creative industries and digital storytelling, noting that such cooperation could expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

“Our partnership can strengthen women-led entrepreneurship and cultural diplomacy,” she said. “Together, we can amplify women’s voices and promote shared growth.”

Also speaking at the event, Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zock, Chairman of the House Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, described the festival as “a powerful platform for cultural diplomacy and creative partnership.”

“Cinema is one of the strongest tools for shaping perceptions, preserving heritage, and driving social change,” Zock said. “By celebrating women in film, China reinforces a global vision of gender equality and inclusive growth.”

He noted that Nigeria’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Creative Economy (2025–2030) aligns with such partnerships, as it focuses on empowering women and youth through art, technology, and international cooperation.

“When women tell their stories, societies evolve. When nations share their art, peace and prosperity follow,” he added.

The 2025 China Women’s Film Festival, which runs from October 10 to 13, builds on the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The initiative seeks to deepen people-to-people exchanges and cultural understanding between China and African nations.

As the opening ceremony concluded, participants expressed optimism that the festival would not only showcase the artistic achievements of women in film but also inspire new creative partnerships between Nigeria and China in the years ahead.