Lei Min (center), a NPC deputy and PLA soldier, calls for more respect for the devotion of military personnel and better protection of their legal rights at a group discussion of the government work report on March 7. (Photo: Lei Sheng from People’s Daily)

With the aim to further improve women’s welfare and rights, China has amended laws and regulations to accelerate gender equality and the overall development of women in the country.

As China’s first law against domestic violence came into effect earlier this March, deputies attending the National People’s Congress (NPC) annual session said the law would further guarantee women’s rights. 

Sun Xiaomei, a NPC deputy who has long advocated for the law, applauds the legislation, saying that “women are the highest-risk group facing domestic violence. The law will better protect their rights.”

Riyangul Almire, a female deputy from the rural area of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, said that local women’s federations have been promoting the marriage law and anti-domestic violence law through various channels in different languages. 

“With the protection of the law, women in rural areas feel safer than before,” she added. 

As early as 1954, China’s constitution officially included women’s rights among the fundamental rights of citizens. Later amendments further stipulated protection of women’s rights. A specific law on women’s rights protection was also introduced. The constitution and related laws have ensured the independent and inviolable status of women, granting them the same freedom and dignity that men enjoy. 

China's practice has proved that the promotion of women's participation in social and economic activities could effectively improve their social status and economic vitality.

Women’s participation in administration and discussion of state affairs is an important index to measure a country’s degree of humanity. Since the establishment of the people’s congress system, the percentage of female deputies has been increasing. 

According to released statistics, 23.4 percent of the deputies are female in this year’s session. Their occupations include diplomats, Olympic champions, grass-roots school principals, as well as farmers.

During the two sessions, Fu Ying, the NPC session spokeswoman, captured public attention once again. As the first female spokesperson of the NPC session, Fu used to be China's ambassador to the Philippines, Australia and the UK. 

She said that the NPC and its standing committee will play significant roles in addressing the root causes of corruption and efforts will be placed on the amendments of administration supervision law this year.

Female delegates of the two sessions believe that the nation’s current focus on family values and education has added meaning to the roles of women, which will further advance women’s social progress. 

CPPCC members applaud the approval of resolutions during the Fourth Session of the National Committee of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Monday at the Great Hall of the People. (Photo : Lei Sheng from People's Daily)