Meeting examines protection of women's rights

Scholars from universities and representatives from international women's organizations shared details of women's rights protection cases on Wednesday.

Speaking at a side meeting of the ongoing 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, they appealed for the protection of women's rights and the promotion of high-quality development.

Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: "Women and girls continue to have unequal access to economic and educational opportunities. They are denied access to the decision-making within the family and community."

She suggested the international community adopt measures to ensure women play a positive role in development and boost their equality and participation.

Dai Jianjun, vice-president of the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges, called on all parties in the international community to work together to ensure gender equality.

"Efforts should be made to promote women's participation in the country's economic, cultural and social affairs management," he said. "We should insist on safeguarding women's rights and interests in development and strengthen global cooperation in women's undertakings to help them enjoy a brilliant life."

Chen Yanping, vice-president of the Beijing Women's Federation, said that in the 100 years since the founding of the Communist Party of China, the status of Chinese women has undergone earthshaking changes.

"Women are gradually realizing their equal exercise of democratic rights in accordance with the law, their equal participation in economic and social development, and equal access to the fruits of reform and development," she said.

"Beijing has actively promoted the implementation of gender equality, established specific institutions to enhance the protection of women, and incorporated women's development into the overall plan for national economic and social development."

Li Yue, director of the Beijing Women's International Center, shared the capital's experience in women's rights protection by building a growth platform and improving women's employability.

"In 2020, we held nearly 100 online job fairs for female college students, providing 42,000 job opportunities," she said. "The building of a lifelong learning platform for women provides guidance on career development, family education, physical and mental health, and protection of rights and interests for women."

Li added that efforts have been made to improve the social support system for women's development. More than 6,000 baby-care rooms have been set up in enterprises and public places, child care and housekeeping services have been improved, and men and women are encouraged to share family responsibilities.

Scholars and NGO members from China, the United States, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Nepal, Greece and Sri Lanka took part in the meeting, which was co-hosted by the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges, the Beijing Women's Federation and the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation.