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Advance on all Fronts in Women's Status

How now stand Chinese women in terms of governmental support, education and career advancement? Figures from the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) show that last year saw the number of women in politics and governmental positions higher than in 1999; that the educational level of women has again been raised; and that in the areas of commerce, information and tourism particularly, the door is very much open to women. Special, spectacular plans are well in hand to enhance women's education and expectations in western China -- crucial factors in the opening-up process of this vast area.

There are also plans for tighter protection of women's rights, including improvements at Complaints and Analysis centers, in legal aid and under what are being called the new "Marriage Laws". Governments at all levels in China are, meanwhile, being told to accelerate and supervise the entry of more women into government jobs.

In the field of external relations, the ACWF is creating more chances for women to enjoy wider contacts and exchanges with foreign women's organizations.
Accompanying the ACWF figures was this further information:

Politics
At present there are two women vice-chairpersons of the National People's Congress, and one vice-chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The government has two female ministers and 19 vice-ministers. The ACWF says that, compared with five years ago, the number of women holding positions in government increased by 46.5 percent. Among all people employed throughout China, the percentage of women is, by coincidence, also 46.5.

Education
The educational level of women continues to be raised. Last year, 99.07 percent of school-age girls were enrolled in school. Recent years have seen an average of more than four million illiterates receive education annually. In advanced adult education, 45.63 percent of students are women. There are today 62 women members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, representing six percent of the total -- the highest in the world in this sphere.

Five-year plan to help women
This plan is in three parts:
Poverty still being a problem that hinders the development of countryside women, the government will devote full efforts to increasing their income.
The government will give priority to women in joining the information, commercial and tourism industries.
To help poverty-stricken women in western China, the ACWF will introduce more cooperative chances for them to adopt more advanced technology. The federation will also create more channels for city women to help their countryside counterparts in sharing information, technology, capital and human resources.

Widespread aid in western China
Building of 1,000 countryside women's schools
Helping 1,000 women to become wealthy, and more local people acquire larger incomes.
Founding 1,000 local women's professional organizations.
Helping 1,000 model women to use advanced technologies in agriculture, and to contribute to environmental protection.
Promotion of 1,000 women cadres at town and township levels.
Organizing 1,000 women scientists to go to the countryside and help with application of agricultural sciences.
Establishing 1,000 sites to plant trees that help to protect the environment.
Setting up 1,000 parents' schools.