The People's Republic of China used its veto right 2 times out of 2 vetoed draft resolutions in 2012 (One draft resolution has gender-sensitive language).
Draft resolution on Syria (S/2012/538): "Women must be fully represented in all aspects of the transition."
Draft resolution on Syria (S/2012/77) includes no gender-specific language.
In its statement at the October 2010 Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, the People's Republic of China did not announce any specific WPS commitments.
(S/PV.6411 (2010): "China supports the Secretary-General appointing more women as special representatives to provide good offices and political mediation; condemns the use of sexual violence as a means of war; supports the relevant United Nations agencies in their active efforts to provide the needed support to the victims of sexual violence."
**Note: Data is provided for 2010. No WPS commitments have been made in 2012.
Arms Transfer Revenue: $1,728,000,000
_____________________________________
UN Women Government Total Contribution: $60,000
The People's Republic of China receives 13% due to the high difference between the Arms Transfer Revenue and UN Women Total Contribution.
Arms Transfer Revenue in 2011: $1,496,000,000
_____________________________________
UN Women Government Total Contribution in 2011: $40,000
HDI (Human Development Index):
The People's Republic of China was ranked 101st.
The People's Republic of China is included in the "Medium Human Development" category.
Women from the People's Republic of China are on duty in the following peacekeeping missions:
MINURSO (0);
MINUSTAH (0);
MONUSCO (14);
UNAMID (0);
INFICYP (0);
UNIFIL (15);
UNMIL (15);
UNMIT (0);
UNMISS (10);
UNOCI (0);
UNTSO (0).
Peacekeepers from the People's Republic of China were involved in 0 out of 60 allegations against civilian, military, police, and other peacekeeping personnel in 2012.
The representatives of the People's Republic of China made no statements at the meetings of the Security Council (or at any other official international meetings) on its position on the sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeepers.
Governmental support for women's civil society:
- Engagement in joint government/NGO efforts: Yes
- Funding provided by the government: Yes
The People's Republic of China receives 55% because:
Even though the government is engaged in collabouration with women's civil society, the following gaps have been noted:
a) Inadequate financial support to women's organisations is provided;
b) There is no special WPS-focus in the work of women's civil society;
c) The number of existing projects on the Women, Peace and Security agenda is very low;
d) There are strict regulations of national and international funding for non-governmental organizations;
e) Many activists are questionably detained.
Key women's organisation's (All-China Women's Federation) efforts in regard to gender issues include the following:
- Number of conferences: 20+;
- Number of publications: 36 (project reports).
Types of social support provided:
Education: Yes
Anti-violence: Yes
Women's empowerment: Yes
Gender-related training: Yes
Political participation: Yes
Anti-human trafficking: Yes
Women's health: Yes
Lobbying and policymaking: No
Fundraising: No
Chinese organisations seeking external resources (such as foundation grants, direct gifts, and other resources) must obtain approval from the appropriate regulatory agency (such as a bureau of civil affairs at the provincial level). Some civil society organisations choose to register as businesses and they, along with unregistered groups, struggle to survive without the advantages afforded to registered civil society organisations. Unregistered groups and those registered as businesses do not enjoy certain tax benefits, are ineligible for government projects, and cannot solicit public donations.
Compared to government-led women and development programmes, NGOs strive to apply a rights-based approach and comply with the international human rights framework in their initiatives. Women's NGOs have been using the international human rights mechanisms and instruments to monitor the government's commitments on CEDAW and Beijing Platform for Action. They also conduct gender training for government officials, development practitioners and NGOs, as a tool to advocate the mainstreaming and integration of gender into development programmes.
The People's Republic of China hosted the following high-level events in 2012:
- International Conference on Gender Equality and Corporate Social Responsibility: Enhancing Business Competitiveness;
- National Seminar on Anti-Domestic Violence Legislation;
- Sino-US Forum on Rural Women;
- Qinghai Women's Business Symposium;
- Gender Culture Symposium;
- Seminar "Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development in Gender Perspective;"
- Third Chinese Population, Gender and Development Forum;
- New Media and Gender Culture Forum;
- Third Chinese Women's Social Status Investigation Forum;
- UN, ACWF Event on Women's Roles in Rural Development;
- International Conference on Protecting Women's Rights;
- Women and Ethics International Forum;
- Green Development and Women's Business Forum;
-China-Canada Academic Forum on Gender Communications and Social Development;
- Symposium on Women's Economic Empowerment;
- Women's Work and Sustainable Development Forum;
- Women's Entrepreneurship Forum;
- NW China's Qinghai Women's Rights Conference;
- Forum on Female Agricultural Bases;
- Asian Business women Leadership Forum;
- International Forum on Women's Development;
- 2012 Maternal and Child Health Conference;
- Women's Health Summit;
- international Conference on CSR and Gender Equality;
- Symposium on Female College Graduates' Employment;
- China Women Entrepreneurs Summit;
- Global Women Entrepreneurs Summit.
**Note: The information about the high-level events has been collected using available media sources.
Shen Xinwang, "Ministry of Civil Affairs Official: There Have Been No Instances of ‘Social organisations Opposing the Government’", 21 May 12, China News Net
"Beijing Holds International Conference on CSR, Gender Equality," All-China Women's Federation
"Sino-US Forum on Rural Women,"All-China Women's Federation
"Qinghai Women's Business Symposium," All-China Women's Federation
"Gender Culture Symposium in Urumqi," All-China Women's Federation
"Seminar "Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development in Gender Perspective" in Beijing," All-China Women's Federation
"Third Chinese Population, Gender and Development Forum," All-China Women's Federation
"Shanghai New Media and Gender Culture Forum," All-China Women's Federation
"Sanya Third Chinese Women's Social Status Investigation Forum," All-China Women's Federation
"UN, ACWF Co-host Event on Women's Roles in Rural Development," All-China Women's Federation
"Beijing Holds International Conference on Protecting Women's Rights," All-China Women's Federation
"Green Development and Women's Business Forum," All-China Women's Federation
"China-Canada Academic Forum on Gender Communications and Social Development" All-China Women's Federation
"Beijing Symposium on Women's Economic Empowerment," All-China Women's Federation
"Guizhou Women's Work and Sustainable Development Forum," All-China Women's Federation
"Shanxi Women's Entrepreneurship Forum in Taiyuan," All-China Women's Federation
"NW China's Qinghai Women's Rights Conference," All-China Women's Federation
"Beijing Forum on Female Agricultural Bases," All-China Women's Federation
"Asian Businesswomen's Leadership Forum in Shanghai," All-China Women's Federation
"Shanghai International Forum on Women's Development," All-China Women's Federation
"Beijing 2012 Maternal and Child Health Conference," All-China Women's Federation
"Beijing Summit Forum on Women's Health," All-China Women's Federation
"Beijing International Conference on CSR, Gender Equality," All-China Women's Federation
"Symposium on Female College Graduates' Employment," All-China Women's Federation
"Shanghai China Women Entrepreneurs Summit," All-China Women's Federation
“State of Civil Society Report: 2013,”CIVICUS
There was no National Action Plan on the Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 in the People's Republic of China.
In 2012, the People's Republic of China’s stated priorities as a permanent member of the Security Council include continuing to address crisis in the Middle East and North Africa, utilizing preventative diplomacy as a tool for the peaceful settlement of disputes, and implementing existing resolutions on women, peace and security.
Military Expenditure: $157,446,000,000
_____
There was no National Action Plan on the Implementation of Resolution 1325.
Military Expenditure in 2011: $137,967,000,000
_____
There was no National Action Plan on the Implementation of Resolution 1325.
National Programme for Women's Development (2011-2020):
- Optimises distribution of resources and expand maternal and child health care funding in rural and remote areas;
- Provides financial support to ensure that impoverished girls and girls with disabilities receive universal preschool education;
- Provides financial support to impoverished girls and girls with disabilities in high school education, and ensure that girls do not drop out of school because of poverty and/or physical disabilities; progressively provides free secondary vocational education and ensure that girls who fail to go on to senior high school receive the necessary vocational education before seeking employment;
- Provides financial support to impoverished and/or disabled women college students in various forms and through multiple channels;
- Encourages financial institutions, enterprises and other organisations to offer, in cooperation with women's organisations, rural women-oriented financial services and relevant training.
From 2009 to 2013, the central budget invested 1.09 billion RMB yuan (about 182 million USD) in the project, and as a result, an accumulative number of 37.49 million rural women received free examination. A sum of 50 million RMB yuan (about 8.33 million USD) is earmarked annually from the central lottery charity fund to replenish the special fund set up to help poverty-stricken mothers suffering from cervical or breast cancer. This fund has helped a total of 20,175 rural women.
Women made up 21.3% of the Parliament.
A three-day training session to promote the implementation of a project on Chinese women's political participation was launched by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) in Harbin City, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on October 17, 2012.
12% of ministerial positions were held by women in the People's Republic of China.
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.13.
13.7% of law enforcement positions were held by women.
**Note: Data is provided for 2011.
26.6% of judges in the People's Republic of China were women.
Women's labour participation rate was 74%.
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.88.
Estimated earned income (PPP US$):
Female: 6,592;
Male: 10,156;
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.65.
Legislators, senior officials, and managers (%):
Female: 17, Male: 83;
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.20.
Professional and technical workers (%):
Female: 52, Male: 48;
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 1.08.
Entrepreneurship Training Benefits 100 Businesswomen in southwest China (via All-China Women's Foundation of China).
Enrolment in primary education: 97%;
Enrolment in secondary education: 92.53%;
Enrolment in tertiary education: 27%.
The enrolment difference between males and females is provided below (The theoretical maximum value is 100%. Increasing trends are considered a reflection of improving coverage at the specified level of education):
Literacy rate (%):
Female: 91;
Male: 97;
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.94.
Enrolment in primary education (%):
Female: 97;
Male: 96.
Enrolment in secondary education (%):
Female: 92.53;
Male: 91.8.
Enrolment in tertiary education (%):
Female: 27;
Male: 25.
Domestic Violence:
Clauses aimed at preventing and deterring domestic violence against women, and at combating the trafficking in women, were included in the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010) and (2012-2015);
Legislations protecting against human trafficking:
The National Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking of Women and Children (2008-2012);
Legislations that protect female employees:
Special Rules on the labour Protection of Female Employees in April 2012, being the first state-level labour regulation that prohibits sexual harassment and elucidates the liability of the employer;
Clauses, with the objective of preventing and prohibiting violence against women, were included in the National programme for Women's Development (2011-2020) formulated by the Chinese government to promote women's development;
Legislations protecting against human trafficking:
The National Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking of Women and Children (2008-2012).
Constitutional Articles that Incorporate Gender (8 articles out of 56 articles);
Gender-sensitivity in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China:
"All citizens of the People’s Republic of China are equal before the law."
"All citizens of the People’s Republic of China who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for election, regardless of ethnic status, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status or length of residence, except persons deprived of political rights according to law."
"Women in the People’s Republic of China enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life, in political, economic, cultural, social and family life."
"The State protects the rights and interests of women, applies the principle of equal pay for equal work to men and women alike and trains and selects cadres from among women."
"Maltreatment of old people, women and children is prohibited."
"Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women," china.org.ch
"Does the constitution take at least one approach to gender equality?," World Policy Center
"Post 1995 Major Events on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in China," Columbia University
"Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database," UN Women
"Constitutional Provisions on Women's Equality," Library of Congress
There is no specific anti-discrimination law in the People’s Republic of China. However, certain general anti-discrimination provisions are included in various laws and regulations.
A Women’s Judges Association under the Supreme People’s Court exists, yet lacks a website and published information.
"Progress made by the Chinese Government in Implementation of the “Beijing Declaration” and Program of Action” as well as the “Outcome Document” of the United Nations General Assembly at its Twenty-Third Special Session," United Nations
"Protection of Women's Rights and Interests Law of the People's Republic of China (Chinese and English Text)," Congressional-Executive Commission on China
"Organic Law of People's Courts of the people's Republic of China," china.org.cn
The government of the People’s Republic of China does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government did not demonstrate evidence of increasing efforts to address human trafficking over the previous year; therefore, the People's Republic of China is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for an eighth consecutive year.
Total Reported Sexual Violence at National Level:
1,863.000.
Total Reported Rape at National Level:
121.000.
Activists and SGBV survivors advocated for legislation on sexual/domestic violence.
Existence of a law against sexual violence:
No law in existence.
Governmental efforts to eliminate sexual violence nationally:
The government efforts to eliminate sexual violence were primarily accomplished through support and funding to The National Programme for Chinese Women's Development(2011-202), the China National Programme for Child Development (2011-2020, the All-China Women's Foundation, and through coordinaton with UN Women's efforts.
Existence of a national crisis hotline:
National crises hotlines exist with additional hotlines operating in most regions (although the hours of operation are often unreliable).
Number of women's shelters:
More than 2,000 shelters exist; however, exact number and overall functionality status is unknown.
Number of women's rape crisis centres:
Data unavailable.
Veterans affairs offices exist; however, it is unknown whether they provide specific services and resources for women.
Officially, all veterans receive the same benefits from the State, including women. However, very little additional information exists.
"Resettlement of demobilized soldiers Ordinance," The Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China
"Opinions on the implementation of retired soldiers Grants policy," The Centeral People's Government of the People's Republic of China
"Retired soldiers resettlement policy," Shanghai Municipal People's Government
There are inadequate domestic violence shelters to meet the needs of women, yet some shelters remain unused due to social stigma.
Project to Help Sexual Abuse Survivors aims to help protect the survivors of child sexual abuse will be launched by the Bao'an District of Shenzhen, a major city in south China's Guangdong Province.
No evidence of rape crisis centres found.
No evidence of national sex offender website found.
"The Shadow Report of Chinese Women’s NGOs on the Combined Seventh and Eighth Periodic Report Submitted by China under Article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women," Anti-Domestic Violence Network
Yunting, Liu. "Shenzhen to Launch Project to Help Sexual Abuse Survivors," Women of China
"Progress made by the Chinese Government in Implementation of the 'Beijing Declaration' and Program of Action” as well as the 'Outcome Document' of the United Nations General Assembly at its Twenty-Third Special Session ," United Nations
Zhao, Frank. "Building a Nonviolent World for Women," Women of China
Combating violence against women and children in all its forms remains one of the major objectives of the National Programme for Chinese Women's Development(2011-2020) and the China National programme for Child Development(2011-2020);
The National Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Women and Children (2008–2012) outlines strategies and procedures for combating human trafficking and providing services and protections to victims. However, the extent to which these programmes are effective and sustainable is unclear;
The All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) "continued to allocate an unknown amount of funds to operate ‘women’s homes", a network of shelters where women could access referrals for legal aid, report human trafficking violations, and seek assistance from social workers.
"2012 Annual Report," Congressional-Executive Commission on China
"China’s National Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Women and Children (2008-2012)," notrafficking.org
Barbezat, Sean Michael. "Trafficking of Women and the Harmonious Society: The Chinese National Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Women and Children within the Context of Chinese Patriarchy and Reform," University of Denver
Total population of refugees, stateless persons, IDPs, and asylum-seekers: 301,302
Guangdong adult school helps women migrants. As China's migrant population empties out of the rural villages and pours into its bigger cities in search of better jobs, more and more effort is being put into helping this demographic attain a higher standard of living. One such effort involves holding special courses to teach migrant women workers relevant life skills and knowledge. (via All-Women's Foundation of China);
Although China ratified the UN Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1982, the country still lacks related national institutions. It was only in 2012 that China adopted a revised Entry-Exit Administration Law that allows public security authorities to issue identity certificates to refugees and refugee status applicants.
WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:
General Women, Peace and Security: 3/17;
Conflict Prevention: 3/17;
Disarmament: 0/17;
Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 2/17;
Participation: 3/17;
Peace Processes: 0/17;
Peacekeeping: 2/17;
Protection: 3/17;
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 3/17;
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 2/17;
Implementation: 2/17;
Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 3/17;
Human Rights: 3/17.
S/PV.6722: "China supports women in playing a greater role in preventing and settling conflicts and in rehabilitation and reconstruction."