ACWF Marks 25th Anniversary of Women's Rights-Protection Law

An event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of China's Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests was held by the ACWF in Beijing. [Women of China/Fan Wenjun]

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of China's Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) on March 31 held a rally to commend individuals and collectives, from all regions of the country, who had distinguished themselves in the protection of women and children's legal rights and interests. The event was held in Beijing.

Shen Yueyue, Vice -Chairperson of the NPC (National People's Congress) Standing Committee and ACWF President, delivered a speech during the meeting. 

The NPC Standing Committee adopted the law on April 3, 1992. The law took effect on October 1, 1992. The legislation, the first of its kind in the country, marked a milestone in the development of China's legal system, in the progress of protecting Chinese women's rights and interests, and in the promotion of women's development.

The NPC Standing Committee in 2005 revised the law, so that it stipulated China shall promote the basic State policy of gender equality.

More than 200 people — including leaders of the Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs and the Legislative Affairs Committee of the NPC Standing Committee, China's Supreme People's Court and China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and lawyers and judges and members of various social organizations — attended.

"The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to promoting women's all-round development, and to protecting women's legal rights and interests. In the report to the 18th CPC (Communist Party of China) National Congress, held in Beijing from November 8-14, 2012, the Party stressed China would make continuous efforts to promote its basic State policy of gender equality, to protect women and children's legal rights and interests," said Shen.

She urged officials of women's federations, at all levels across the country, to promote the spirit of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speeches (in recent years) on the promotion of women's all-round development, and on the protection of women's legal rights and interests. She also urged the officials to strengthen women's rights-protection work.

Shen outlined China's achievements in promoting women's all-round development, and in protecting women's legal rights and interests. "China has made significant progress in promoting the basic State policy of gender equality during the past two decades," said Shen. "During the past several decades, China has promulgated many laws and legal regulations to protect women's rights and interests in various fields, including healthcare, education and social security."

Yet, Shen added, efforts must be made to promote the law, to create a favorable environment for the promotion of women's development. She also urged women's federations to strive to solve problems that affect the promotion of women's development and the protection of women's legal rights and interests, especially in terms of their rights of person, employment, social security, marriage and family, and women's land-related rights and interests.

Shen also stressed people from all walks of life should make joint efforts to protect women's legal rights and interests. "That, in turn, will help women play greater roles in the building of a moderately prosperous society, and in the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Shen.

During the rally, 971 individuals and 977 collectives (from all regions of the country), received awards. Six of the recipients, from different organizations in different parts of the country, shared their experiences in protecting women and children's rights and interests.