China's legislature passed an amendment to the Law on Protection
of Women's Rights and Interests on August 28, 2005. The amendment,
which took effect on December 1, 2005, "prohibits the sexual
harassment of women" and provides women with channels of redress
including lodging complaints with the relevant authorities. More
important, it stipulates that men and women having equal status is
a basic state policy of the country.
But how the revised law is effectively implemented is a subject
that concerns the many women now attending the Fourth
Plenary Session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese
People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),
China's top advisory body, in Beijing.
According to Wang Shuxian, a CPPCC member and former
vice?president of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF):
"Long-standing barriers and prejudices against women still exist,
putting women at a disadvantage in terms of economic and social
development. This is certainly not in accordance with the country's
pursuit of a harmonious society. Last year, I submitted a motion to
stop gender discrimination in employment recruitment. This year, I
am more concerned about the implementation of the revised law.
Since we have the guarantee of the policy, government departments
should take steps to implement it by stipulating related executive
orders.
"Women make up half of China's total population of 1.3 billion.
Therefore, the promotion of gender equality and the overall
development of women are important for China's development. I have
noticed that in recent years, college students are finding it
increasingly difficult to find work. The already intense
competition is even tougher for female students because of the
inherent gender discrimination that exists in some companies and
organizations. Many young women therefore choose marriage instead
as a way out. This is a dangerous situation and trend.
"To solve the problem, the government should enhance the
supervision and management of the labor market, provide female
college graduates with the necessary legal support in relation to
ensuring equal employment opportunities."
Another issue that is of major concern to China's women leaders
is health, as highlighted by Changngopa Tsering Yangzom, a CPPCC
member and a professor with the Tibetan Language Department at
Tibet University.
"I have been conducting research on the health of women in the
pastoral areas of
Tibet and I've discovered that they know very little about the
prevention of gynaecological diseases. I've urged the ACWF and the
Ministry of the Health to send medical teams to these remote areas
to inform and educate the people on such issues," Changngopa said.
She added that the practice of having annual gynaecological
check-ups, already gaining popularity in the urban areas, should be
promoted to the rural women.?
In addition, rural doctors play a major role in caring for and
treating women from remote villages. "They do a lot for these
women," Changngopa said, adding that more financial support and
training should be given to these village doctors.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Qian, March 8, 2006)