ACWF VP Stresses Women's Rights Protection

Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) Song Xiuyan attended a seminar discussion on women's rights protection with representatives from other provinces on June 11.

Delegates talked about the issues they encountered, their experiences, and offered suggestions. Song joined in the in-depth discussion with them in a warm atmosphere. The participants made a number of good suggestions, such as: strengthening the basic national policy for the promotion of gender equality to seize the opportunity to deepen reform comprehensively, to implement the basic national policy of gender equality and promote gender awareness into mainstream decision-making. Strengthening women's rights involving the relevant laws and regulations to promote rural land reform, promote the establishment of a co-ordination mechanism, according to the revised pacts, the protection of women in rural land contract management issues is inextricably linked to the right to work and have equitable access to land-related property rights.

Song pointed out that representing and safeguarding the interests of women and promoting gender equality are the ACWF's basic functions.

Song stressed that as a bridge between the government and women, the ACWF should give full play to the role of a bridge, and truly build a strong position of becoming a "women's home." The ACWF needs to understand women's needs and issues and the big picture of the government policy. Furthermore, they should develop new methods to help women by filing reports through the National People's Congress and other public forums. They should also promote women’s rights issues during policy making.

Song requested that all women's work should be consistent with grassroots women and that local women's federations especially need to base their work upon community outreach and to help women protect their rights.

The four-day seminar, which opened on June 10 in Beijing, is the first of its kind after the 11th National Women's Congress which was held in October 2013. The seminar will discuss various issues, including how to strengthen the rule of law in the reform; the theoretical foundation of women’s rights protection; how to establish a scientific and effective governance system; the impact of our legal system upon women’s rights protection and gender equality in law.

Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF Tan Lin hosted the seminar.

Source: http://www.womenofchina.cn/html/womenofchina/report/173683-1.htm