The All-China Women's Federation on Wednesday made donations for the first group of ten shelter centers for female migrant workers in Beijing, aiming to make their life in the city easier.

 

The ten centers, to be set up in neighborhood communities, will be equipped with books, TV sets, computers and some other entertainment facilities.

 

"These rural women have played a major role in promoting the city's economic and social development through hard work," said Huang Qingyi, vice chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, at the donation ceremony.

 

"Women organizations of all levels in the country should offer migrant women as much assistance as possible and address their needs," added Huang.

 

According to China's fifth national population census, women account for 49.6 percent of the country's more than 120 million rural workers.

 

A hotline service "12338" was also opened in March last year for these migrant women who can consult any problem concerning their legitimate rights by simply making a call.

 

Nationwide, the Chinese government has set up women's aid stations and opened anti-family violence hotlines to provide consulting service, shelter, medical care and psychological help for female victims.

 

Over the past 10 years, China has promulgated and implemented more than 100 laws and regulations, such as the Marriage Law and the Law on Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, to protect women, according to a white paper on women published last August.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2006)