China Daily:

In 1995, the fourth World Conference on Women convened in Beijing, adopting the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Women's Conference, and recently, the United Nations also held the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. What measures has the Xizang Autonomous Region adopted to promote the protection of women's rights? Thank you.

Gama Cedain:

I'd like to invite Mr. Wang to answer your question.

Wang Haizhou:

Thank you to this journalist for highlighting women's rights in Xizang. Women's rights are fundamental human rights, and the comprehensive development of human rights is impossible without the full development of women's rights. As such, we have formulated and promulgated the Plan for Women's Development in Xizang Autonomous Region (2021-2025) and have continuously strengthened the protection of women's rights. In terms of participation in and deliberation on the administration of state affairs, women comprise 36.6% of the region's delegates to the 20th CPC National Congress, 28% of its deputies to the 14th NPC, and 22.6% of its members on the 14th CPPCC National Committee. Among the delegates to the 10th Party Congress of the Xizang Autonomous Region, 32.4% are female. Additionally, women constitute 30.6% of the deputies to the 12th People's Congress of the region and 28.1% of the members of the 12th CPPCC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee. In all of our administrative villages and urban communities, there are female members serving on Party branches and villagers' or residents' committees, ensuring that women fully participate in and engage in deliberation on the administration of state affairs.

Regarding the protection of women's right to health, we have implemented a preferential policy for the cost of hospitalization for childbirth, granting pregnant women from farming and pastoral areas full reimbursement of medical expenses, as well as a one-time hospital delivery subsidy of 1,000 yuan and a prenatal living allowance of 300 yuan. In the past five years, Xizang has provided more than 200 million yuan in hospital delivery subsidies, benefiting more than 267,000 pregnant women from farming and pastoral areas. Xizang's hospital delivery rate increased from 75.8% in 2012 to 99.15% in 2023.

In terms of ensuring women's right to education, we are well aware that prior to democratic reform, women in old Xizang held a low social status. This meant most women lacked the opportunity and right to receive an education. Following democratic reform, particularly over the past 60 years since the establishment of the Xizang Autonomous Region under the leadership of the CPC, the gender gap in compulsory education has largely been eliminated. Moreover, the proportion of female students in regular higher education, graduate education and adult higher education has consistently remained above 50%. Here, we can proudly say that women's right to education has been effectively protected.

If you observe closely, you will see women actively engaged in various roles across Xizang. An increasing number of women have emerged as a crucial driving force in building a modern socialist new Xizang, figuratively holding up half the sky in this beautiful region. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Let's continue. Due to time constraints, we'll take one last question, please.