This largest financial and commercial center of China has pledged to get rid of discrimination against women in all professions within the next five years.
In a recently published five-year development plan aimed at increasing women’s social status and economic participation, the ratio of women among the group of the urban registered unemployed is set at no higher than 45 percent.
According to the plan, women’s participation in the hi-tech sector should be no less than 40 percent, and women at the administrative level in the trade and financial sectors no less than 30 percent.
Meanwhile, measures will be taken to increase women’s participation in the country’s political life, including increasing the number of women officials in government departments and relevant institutions.
The plan sets women’s average life expectancy at 79.6 and the time spent daily by professional women on housework at no more than two hours. It also pledges to guarantee the right of pregnant women to avoid working under conditions involving strong electromagnetic waves or toxicants.
Meanwhile, women’s social security, including life and medical insurance, should be guaranteed, and their legal rights and interests fully protected, according to the plan.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/13/2001)
