CWU President Publishes Signed Article on Newspaper

Liu Liqun, president of China Women's University (CWU), published her signed article titled "Leading the Fundamental Trend of Women's Development in the New Era" on Study Times on July 11.

The following is the full text of her article:

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has made many keynote speeches and important instructions concerning women's development, the work on women's affairs and the reform of women's federations. Meanwhile, he has put forward a number of forward-looking, strategically, overall and targeted scientific judgments on those topics.

Therefore it is of great necessity to conscientiously study and act on the important statements made by General Secretary Xi in a drive to promote the development of women's affairs, upgrade the theories of women's affairs in accordance with socialism with Chinese characteristics, and enrich and develop Marxist ideas on women.

Ⅰ

Marxist theories on women are scientific analyses and summarizations which have been made from the world view and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism to explain women's social status and roles, their rights and the struggle for emancipation. The important statements made by General Secretary Xi concerning women's development are on the same line as Marxist theories on women and reflect the latter's fundamental uniqueness and overall characteristics.

Marxism has viewed women's emancipation and gender equality as key criteria to measure social progress. It believes that the destiny of women is closely intertwined with the future of humanity. It is a long process for women to become emancipated and the involvement in employment is a prerequisite to realize the goal.

In his important statements concerning women's development, Xi has always stressed the significant contributions made by women in terms of social growth and the interconnectivity between their development and the future of the country and its people. He noted that the aspiration for the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation has become the prevailing trend in the contemporary Chinese women's movement.

These remarks are on the same line as Marxist thought on women and have fully demonstrated the combination between the principles of Marxism with the development of the socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era on women's affairs.

Ⅱ

The important statements made by Xi concerning women's development have fully embodied the outlook on holistic development. The outlook stresses coherence and consistence between their development and that of the nation and its people. It has integrated the development of women into the coordinated implementation of the five-sphere integrated plan and the four-pronged comprehensive strategy, and elevated the work on women's affairs into a height to consolidate the basis of the CPC's leadership and strengthen its ties with the public.

The outlook states that the development of Chinese women should be on the same line as socialism with Chinese characteristics on the advancement of women's affairs. General Secretary Xi has noted on many occasions that the adherence to socialism with Chinese characteristics is the only path to the realization of women's progress and development. Therefore we should firmly stick to socialism with Chinese characteristics on the progress of women's affairs.

This outlook stresses that the development of women's affairs has always been an important component of the Party and the people's causes.

The important remarks made by General Secretary Xi concerning women's development have shown the concept of equal development between two genders, which requires a full recognition of women's equality in social status and social contribution. He has noted on many occasions that "Women are creators of material and spiritual wealth and constitute an important force which drives social development and progress," which vividly manifests the concept of equality in women's development.

The concept of equal development demands that gender-based variations and women's special needs should be taken into account. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core has adhered to the people-centered approach and attached considerable importance to the protection of both women's legal rights and interests and their special needs as underprivileged group over the past several years.

The concept means that the building of a beautiful country should require joint efforts from women and men, who are entitled to equally enjoy the fruit of social development in the meantime. General Secretary Xi noted that "There will be no development without women's participation and women are entitled to share development benefits". The remarks demonstrate his stance and compassion in leading women's development, listening to their concerns and bringing benefits to them.

The important statements made by Xi concerning women's development have reflected the outlook on comprehensive development. The comprehensive development of women refers to their all-round and adequate growth as independent individuals and their harmonious and coordinated development in society, families and teams. He pointed that great efforts should be taken to increase women's participation in politics and economics and enhance their capacity in decision-making and management as they are expected to adhere to their role of "holding up half the sky".

Meanwhile, Xi has called for a full release of women's role and function in social and family life, the promotion of traditional Chinese family virtues, and the formation of positive household doctrines in a move to help them achieve all-round development and gain a higher sense of happiness in the great project of building socialism.

Ⅲ

Marxist ideas on women have become the starting points of important statements made by General Secretary Xi concerning women's development in terms of their logics, theories and values. His relevant remarks have been imbued with rich historical, cultural and theoretical heritage, giving a comprehensive explanation of issues connected with women's development.

These important statements have expounded the fundamental logics and natural laws behind women's development, kept a firm hold of the development trend and national conditions, provided guidelines and fundamental rules for the development of women's cause with Chinese characteristics, and become a reference for practical needs in the promotion of women's development and gender equality.

They will become theoretical sources and research paradigms for future academic studies of women's development and gender equality, and develop into guiding principles in the promotion of women's development, gender equality, as well as the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

(Source: Study Times/Translated and edited by Women of China)