The women's rights-protection hotline, 12338, has handled more than 110,000 calls and provided face-to-face advice more than 1,000 times since it was established 10 years ago. [For Women of China]

Since the women's rights-protection hotline, 12338, began operating 10 years ago in central China's Hunan Province, it has become a comprehensive, public-assistance and -service platform for women and children. The hotline has handled more than 110,000 calls and provided face-to-face advice more than 1,000 times over the decade.

During the third meeting of the 11th Executive Committee of Hunan Women's Federation, held in January 2011, it was announced that Hunan began using the hotline, 12338, to provide women's rights-protection services, which included handling complaints and giving advice related to laws and policies, health, social work and employment.

"The hotline was started by the All -China Women's Federation as a national hotline for women's rights protection. Wherever women are, they can dial the number, 12338, when they want to inquire about law, marriage, family and education. They can also complain through the hotline when their legal rights and/or interests are harmed," says an official of the legal department of Hunan Women's Federation. Heads of women's federations, at all levels, in

Hunan have sometimes worked as the hotline's operators. Through this work, they can directly know women's needs and help women protect their rights based on laws.

The hotline has made it easier for women's federations to serve women, and to protect women and children's rights and interests, in a highly efficient way.

(Women of China English Monthly September 2021 issue)