Tania Romualdo, Ambassador of Cabo Verde makes a speech at the conference (WANG XIANG/BEIJING REVIEW)

Every single African woman is important to the continent's development and is already contributing to it, said Tania Romualdo, Cabo Verde's Ambassador to China, at a conference in the Cameroon Embassy in Beijing to mark Women's Day on March 8.  

"They are part of national and local governments and participate in political decisions; they are CEOs in very important African and multinational companies. African women are also artists, writers, singers, actors, fashion designers. They show Africa's beauty and potential to the world, they raise their voices for African causes, they are also ambassadors representing their countries and the continent all over the world," Romualdo said. 

The conference, themed on the impact of African women on the development of Africa, saw African ambassadors, entrepreneurs, media members and outstanding students studying in China talk about how African women influence the continent's development and enhance the understanding between Chinese and Africans. It was organized by the Association of African Students in China. 

The speakers also looked forward to more exchanges with Chinese women, saying they can learn a lot from one another. 

African ambassadors, entrepreneurs, media members and outstanding students studying in China speak on how African women influence the continent's development at the conference on March 8th (WANG XIANG/BEIJING REVIEW)

"Chinese women are entrepreneurial... very good at networking and focused," commented Tebogo Lefifi, China Chief Representative of Brand South Africa, a South African agency marketing the country, based on her eight years' experience in China.  

On March 1, China's first Anti-domestic Violence Law came into effect, sparking discussions at the ongoing sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's highest political advisory body, and the National People's Congress, the top legislature. They have also caught Lefifi's attention.  

"We have legislation protecting women against violence for many years while it's new in China. Chinese women can learn from South African women how to use the law to protect themselves," she told ChinAfrica.  

Raissa Girondin, a 30-year-old Afro-Caribbean born in France, is working as an anchor with the state-run China Central TV (CCTV) in Beijing. She said she has a lot of stories on China-Africa relations. "I profiled Africans doing [things] here in China, and interviewed Chinese who [have invested] a lot in Africa," she said. "I am an African voice at CCTV." 

Fifteen contestants of the Miss Mama Africa beauty contest attend the conference (WANG XIANG/BEIJING REVIEW)

The conference was also attended by 15 young women from nine African countries, who are studying in Chinese universities. They will compete for the Miss Mama Africa title at a pageant on March 12, where they will demonstrate their talents and their country's tradition and culture. 

"I feel inspired after listening to the speakers," said Grace Kilolo, a 21-year-old contestant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "I think I will be more positive when dealing with the challenges in school and life." 

Kilolo often attends the international festivals organized by Chinese universities in Beijing. "Through African dances, food and clothes, I hope Chinese can learn more about our people and culture," she said.