Diligence and Happiness: Stories of Chinese Women Shaking off Poverty

Shaking off poverty, improving people's livelihood and gradually realizing common prosperity are the essential requirements of socialism. At the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, made a solemn commitment to lift all rural poor residents and poor counties out of poverty, and comprehensively build a well-off society by 2020. The CPC has issued a mobilization order to "harness the power of the whole Party and society to resolutely win the battle against poverty."

In step with the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech on poverty alleviation, the All-China Women's Federation has made even greater strides forward with the Women's Action for Poverty Alleviation. This plan of action targets women who are registered as living in poverty. Its scope includes publicity, education and skills training, with an emphasis on helping women get back on their own feet through skills training, special loan policies, entrepreneurship development, handwork and handicraft industry development, and promotion of women's healthcare with free screening of breast cancer and cervical cancer ("two cancers"). The plan fosters appreciation for talented leadership, cooperation, social unity and benevolence. It also aims to lead poor women to follow the Party in the poverty eradication campaign, so that poverty can be eradicated as soon as possible.

The women's federations at all levels are taking advantage of all policies at their disposal, judiciously implementing poverty alleviation measures according to their respective local conditions. As of June 2018, a total of 6.9 million poor women and women cadres have participated in various anti-poverty training courses. They have set up 13,800 women poverty alleviation bases and helped 3.658 million poor women to increase their income through handicraft, e-commerce, housekeeping service and specialty horticulture and agriculture. They have cooperated with poverty alleviation departments in issuing 58.9 billion yuan in small loans for poverty alleviation, supported 1.07 million registered poor women to increase their income through entrepreneurship, and helped 60,000 poor women suffering from the "two cancers." They have played a unique role in the battle against poverty.

Since the launching of the Women's Action for Poverty Alleviation, a large number of self-reliant and hardworking poor women and a dedicated group of female officials have sprung into action across the country. They do not depend on others, instead shaking off poverty themselves with honor as aspiring women. They take an active role in the solemn task of winning the battle against poverty hand-in-hand with their fellow women. They bring a vibrant spirit to the women's anti-poverty campaign and sing the songs of women. Together, they embroider a happy life and show the beauty of women with their hard-working hands.

These Chinese women have shown us their strong will for forging ahead courageously, their devotion to keep up with men in poverty alleviation and their determination to take the initiative in shaking off poverty.

Now is a crucial time for China's poverty alleviation campaign. General Secretary Xi Jinping has given important instructions on winning the battle against poverty, stressing that we should unite to win the poverty alleviation battle comprehensively with practical efforts and diligent work. With Comrade Xi Jinping at the core of the CPC Central Committee, we will strengthen our confidence in the poverty alleviation campaign, fight with all our might for practical results, and ensure that the poverty eradication goals and tasks for comprehensively constructing a well-off society are accomplished quickly as scheduled!

(Edited by Women of China)