This photo taken on Oct. 14, 2025 shows Thorbjorg Sigridur Gunnlaugsdottir, Icelandic Minister of Justice, at the Embassy of Iceland in China in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Liu Yang)

by Xinhua Writer Li Chenxi

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- "It's very important for countries to work together. The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women is crucial to keeping the discussion and agenda of gender equality strong," Thorbjorg Sigridur Gunnlaugsdottir, Icelandic Minister of Justice, told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday.

As a participant of the just-concluded Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing, Gunnlaugsdottir said that "the conference carried a unified message -- most leaders spoke in harmony and in sync about the importance of gender equality that deserves our attention, and the attention must be followed by actions."

"Different countries face different issues, but the core themes are always the same -- the right to education, economic independence, and autonomy in one's own life," she said.

Gunnlaugsdottir spoke positively of China's efforts to promote gender equality, noting that international cooperation and the sharing of experiences are vital.

At the conference, China announced a series of important initiatives, including a new 10-million-U.S.-dollar contribution to United Nations (UN) Women over the next five years. Gunnlaugsdottir said these moves "signal genuine support for gender equality," adding that China's support is "truly encouraging."

Reflecting on the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing 30 years ago, Gunnlaugsdottir recalled that the message "women's rights are human rights" has guided her professional path since she began her career focusing on human rights, becoming a lawyer and later a prosecutor.

"My experience in the criminal justice system helped me understand more deeply that in Iceland, where we emphasize gender equality, there is still work to be done," particularly when it comes to the different experiences of men and women in cases of violence, she said.

Noting that there is no single solution to achieving gender equality, Gunnlaugsdottir emphasized that ensuring equal opportunities through education from an early age and integrating gender perspectives into all stages of policymaking are key to lasting progress.

"History teaches us that equality hasn't been the natural outcome. Through education, economic independence, and a belief in equality, it is achievable," she noted.

She also offered a message to young girls aspiring to enter law or public service, encouraging them to "listen to their own voice, believe in themselves, and follow the path they truly want to pursue," saying that confidence and self-belief will guide them in the right direction. ■