ACWF Vice-President Song Stresses Women's Rights, Interests

Song Xiuyan, vice-president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) attended a seminar about a research program that will look at protecting and enhancing women's rights and interests, also serving as the event's chief expert, in Beijing on June 2.

As an important initiative of the National Social Science Fund of China, the research program will help promote gender equality across China, taking into account nowadays deepening reform of the country's legal system.

Song delivered a keynote speech to illustrate the research program at the seminar. She pointed out that China should make great efforts to protect women's rights and interests against the backdrop of today's construction of a socialist "rule of law" country. It was necessary for both the whole country and women's organizations nationwide to feature "rule of law", to safeguard women's rights and interests, she added.

Song's sentiments could be seen as the main reason behind the seminar organized by the ACWF and hosted by Tan Lin, member of the Secretariat of the ACWF as well as the director of the Institute of Women Studies of China.

According to Song, it is a social trend that Chinese women are increasingly becoming aware of their rights and interests and the central government will give strong support by holding many significant official conferences this year. Therefore, the seminar has put the government's support of these issues into practice.

During the seminar, Song suggested that three requirements should be met to guarantee women's rights and interests.

First of all, all members who conduct the research should attach a great importance to make sure that its orientation is of benefit to women, whilst also taking into consideration the construction of socialist "rule of law".

Furthermore, China should perfect its legal system and carry out its policies that contribute to the well-being of women. In addition, scientific methods should be adopted to make research more advanced and effective. The seminar attracted almost 50 legal experts and researchers on women's issues.

(Source: wsic.ac.cn/Translated and edited by Women of China)