LHASA - The rights of women in all walks of life in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region are well protected with rising political and social status, said authorities with the Tibetan Women's Federation on Monday.

At present, a large number of women hold high-ranking positions at government institutions. Women already "hold up half the sky" in social decision-making and management, said Tsamcho, president with the Tibetan Women Federation, referring to the famous Chinese phrase covering women's roles in society.

By now, women account for over 41.4 percent of all cadres in Tibet and about 34 percent of government institutions' staff, she said.

Since 1959, Tibetan women have witnessed progress in their lives, especially in their social status and the modern development achieved by Tibet itself.

Women also comprise 22 percent of deputies to Tibet's regional People's Congress and 20.6 percent of the members of Tibet's regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said Tsamcho.

In the past, Tibetan women were in fact subject to abuses of political power, clan authoritarianism, religious officials and husbands.