Mr. Chairman,

As the Chinese saying goes, women can hold up half of the sky. Like men, women are movers of human history, creators of social wealth as well as participants of social process. However, even in the 21st century, women are still in a vulnerable position in social life and their equal rights with men are yet to be fully guaranteed. What are the obstacles behind? The answer by the Chinese delegation is as follows.

Firstly, the outdated gender stereotypes should be discarded. Women's mind, in particular, should be freed from such stereotypes in order to improve their de facto human rights. No action can be taken without awareness of their rights. Traditional stereotypes prevent women from being aware of their own values, rights and potentials. Under such circumstances, it would be utterly impossible to think about changing their fates through their own efforts and safeguarding their own rights. The same gender stereotypes also keep men from sharing household duties. And they are frequently sources of prejudice, violence and sexual aggression against women. The Chinese delegation believes that the international community and all governments should take measures to launch systematic awareness and education campaigns to gradually overcome those stereotypes that impede full enjoyment of human rights by women.

Secondly, women's participation in decision-making process at national level should be guaranteed by fighting prejudices against women in a country's political and economic lives. We are of the view that women's equal participation in policy formulation and decision-making process will enhance their status. It will also serve as a concrete proof of greater democracy and better protection of human rights for women. To that end, governments are duty-bound to combat the negative social attitude towards women's participation in political life. They should provide women with education and training in the field of public and economic policies, civil awareness and information technology, with the view to help women acquire the skills and confidence vital to their full participation in political and public lives. Corresponding laws, policies and institutions are also essential.

Mr. Chairman,

In the past year, the Chinese government continued its endeavours to implement "The Programme for the Development of Chinese Women 2001-2010", by focusing on gender mainstreaming in the formulation and implementation of laws, regulations and policies, and combating all traditional discriminatory ideas and practices against women, so as to ensure their equal status in political, economic and social lives and systematically promote women's human rights. In legislative field, the National People's Congress decided to revise the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women to bring it in line with the requirements of the present circumstances. In political life, the state provides for at least one post for female at each level of government. There are now 7 female national leaders in China and 14 woman ambassadors. In employment, the government has stepped up its efforts to provide vocational training for women. Special tax incentives are offered to self-made women entrepreneurs. In education, school enrolment rate for girls stands at over 90% and the girls' illiteracy and school drop-out rate haven fallen sharply.

The year 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing. The Chinese government and NGOs are actively making preparations for anniversary events in order to propagate the theme of the Conference and better protect women's rights and interests. The Committee on Women and Children Affairs of the State Council has commissioned a report from relevant governmental departments on the outcome of the implementation by the Chinese government of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action and the Special GA session on women. This report will be submitted in time to the United Nations. My government will also actively participate in the activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and work to jointly promote the human rights of women in all parts of the world.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation also wishes to take this opportunity to voice its concern on the situation of human rights for women in the world's biggest developed country, the United States. In that country, women cannot enjoy equal right as men in political life. They suffer unfair treatment in employment and income. According to figures released by the US Labor Department, women's income is only 77.9% of that of men. Domestic violence and sexual harassment against women are also rampant.  According to investigations by the US National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 92% of US women list domestic violence and sexual harassment as their primary concern. In view of the above, the Chinese delegation would like to call on the US government to take a hard look at its own problems of violations of human rights of women and invite the Special Rapporteur on violence against women to visit the country.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.