Equality, Development and Sharing: Progress of Women's Cause in 70 Years Since New China's Founding
Women's participation in the management of grassroots democracy has become more extensive. There is solid institutional guarantee for women to participate in the management of grassroots democracy, given the proactive measures to drive forward the development of grassroots democracy, the formulation and amendment of laws and regulations regarding rural grassroots organizations of the CPC, organic law of the urban residents' committees and organic law of the villagers' committee, and the amendment and improvement of regulations for villagers and urban residents. Since 1980s, the establishment and development of villagers' autonomy system has provided important protection and created conditions for women to participate in the management of grassroots democracy. In 2017, female representation in village committees was 23.1%, up 7.4 percentage points from 2000. The proportion of women in urban residents' committees has remained high. In 2017, women made up 49.7% of neighborhood committees and female heads of neighborhood committees reached 39.9%. Female participation in democratic management in enterprises has gradually increased as well. In 2017, female workers represented 38.3% of the trade union members and female representatives made up 39.7% and 41.6% of boards of directors and regulatory committees, respectively.
Women and women's organizations have been playing increasingly bigger roles in the development of the country's democracy and political construction. The channels for women to participate in the management of State and social issues have become more diversified and accessible. Women delegates to people's congresses and women members of the CPPCC have earnestly performed their duties by pooling wisdom for the national economic and social development and for the promotion of the women's cause. Women officials in Party and government organs at all levels have carried out their duties with dedication, implementing basic state policy on gender equality and improving women's development. Women's awareness of participating in democracy has also improved. Women are offering suggestions and appeals on State and social affairs through various platforms. Women's federations have actively participated in the management of State and social affairs, the formulation of laws, regulations and policies, and taken part in consultative democracy, social governance and public services on behalf of women. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the reform of women's federation has drawn a number of passionate, professional and influential female elites to work for women's federations at all levels, especially for grassroots bodies. Female executive members of women's federations at township and village level have reached 7.7 million, playing a significant role in grassroots governance.
