China's State Council Information Office unveiled a comprehensive white paper on Thursday detailing advancements in women's well-rounded development, marking a milestone in the nation's efforts to promote gender equality. The document, titled "China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era," outlines policy frameworks, economic participation initiatives, and social welfare improvements implemented since 2012.
Huang Xiaowei, deputy head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women, emphasized during the press conference that "women's development is inseparable from national progress." She highlighted a 28% increase in female employment in high-tech industries over the past decade and noted that women now constitute 40% of China's internet entrepreneurship landscape.
The white paper addresses multiple dimensions of progress:
Enhanced maternal healthcare coverage reaching 95% of rural areas
Gender parity in compulsory education attainment
Legal protections against workplace discrimination
When questioned about regional disparities, Huang confirmed targeted programs for western regions and ethnic minority areas, including Uygur communities in Xinjiang. The Q&A session also touched on digital literacy initiatives helping women adapt to AI-driven industries.
This release comes as China implements its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), which prioritizes human capital development. Analysts suggest these measures could influence labor market trends across Asia, particularly in sectors undergoing digital transformation.
