Although women represent half of the world's population, many of
them continue to be excluded from the decision-making process.
A number of tangible steps are needed to help promote women's
participation in government and other decision-making, sociologists
say.
A ratio of women decision makers in government departments needs
to be established, according to Deng Weizhi, a professor of social
science.
"Society has called for women's independence and their
development, especially at the moment, as we celebrate International
Women's Day," Deng says.
"However, without a concrete, supporting push for women's
participation in government, any effort to promote gender equality
and democracy will fall short."
The number of Chinese women participating in government is, at
21 percent, less than half of the Swedish rate, which is almost 50
percent, Deng notes.
"The participation rate has surged in recent years, but the
average annual growth rate is only half a percent," says Deng.
"That means it will take us at least five decades to get anywhere
close to Sweden."
As China's society and economy have developed, well-educated
women or those with special talents have been able to enjoy better
career opportunities.
However, in making decisions the traditional role of women as
their husbands' supporters still has a huge impact.
A recent survey covering over 40 scientific research
institutions in Shanghai found that families and sexist attitudes
restricted the commitment of women scientists and researchers to
their careers.
Among 17,860 people employed by research institutions in Shanghai,
32.7 percent are women. However, only 15 percent of women are in
top jobs. Among the 428 female scientists and researchers
interviewed, only 42 had their own research projects.
Many women researchers choose to focus less on their careers and
instead take care of their families, the survey shows. Many of
their husbands are also scientists, whose careers are buoyed by
such decisions.
Xiao Yanjun, former director of the Beijing Family Planning
Committee, holds that social development cannot be judged solely by
indicators such as gross domestic product growth and economic
development.
"It is crucial to overall social development that women are well
represented in decision-making processes at all levels," Xiao
says.
"It is still the case in our society that women carry most of
the domestic burden and have to combine various tasks. This makes
them heavily underrepresented in both local government and on the
boards of organizations and firms."
China has set goals to build a well-rounded, prosperous society
by 2020. This also highlights improvement in the status of
women.
A number of projects to increase female participation in
decision-making and management at grassroots levels have been put
into place in recent years. In Linqu County, east China's Shandong
Province, for example, the local government has introduced
innovative approaches to assist women leaders.
(China Daily March 8, 2004)