WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:
General Women, Peace and Security: 0/5;
Conflict Prevention: 0/5;
Disarmament: 0/5;
Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 0/5;
Participation: 0/5;
Peace Processes: 0/5;
Peacekeeping: 0/5;
Protection: 1/5;
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 0/5;
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 0/5;
Implementation: 0/5;
Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 0/5;
Human Rights: 1/5.
S/PV.7847: "Today, we are witnessing the swift emergence of problems in regional hotspots, the start of new conflicts and the continuance of protracted ones, which all pose a serious threat to the survival and dignity of the people in conflict situations, in particular vulnerable groups such as women and children, making them easier prey to violence and crime. It is incumbent upon the international community to build synergies to enhance the protection of the rights of women and children in areas of armed conflict and strive to end the trafficking of persons in such areas."
WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:
General Women, Peace and Security: 1/2;
Conflict Prevention: 0/2;
Disarmament: 0/2;
Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 0/2;
Participation: 1/2;
Peace Processes: 1/2;
Peacekeeping: 0/2;
Protection: 1/2;
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 0/2;
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 1/2;
Implementation: 0/2;
Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 0/2;
Human Rights: 1/2.
S/PV.7606: "Protecting civilians in armed conflict, especially women and children, has become an important part of the mandates of the relevant United Nations peacekeeping operations."
The People's Republic of China used its veto right 1 time out of 2 vetoed draft resolutions in 2016.
Draft resolution on Syria (S/2016/1026) does not include any gender-specific language.
The representative of China did not address whether the 2015 commitment "to take a series of measures to help developing countries address the challenges facing women and girls in the areas of health and education and will strengthen the training of local women. It will jointly set up with the United Nations, under the relevant fund, a project to support capacity-building for women in developing countries," was met.
Arms Transfer Revenue: $2,123,000,000
_______________________________________
UN Women Government Total Contribution:$ 2,030,000
_______________________________________
The People's Republic of China receives 10% due to the high difference between the Arms Transfer Revenue and UN Women Total Contribution and with a consideration given to a serious increase in the amount of the UN Women Total Contribution.
Arms Transfer Revenue in 2015: $1,966,000,000
_______________________________________
UN Women Government Total Contribution: $440,000
The People's Republic of China was ranked 37th.
**Note: Data is available for 2015. The most recent data collection is underway.
________________________________________
HDI (Human Development Index):
People's Republic of China was ranked 90.
People's Republic of China is included in the "Medium Human Development" category.
The People's Republic of China provided female peacekeepers to MINURSO (0 women), MINUSMA (19 women), MONUSCO (18 women), UNAMID (0 women), UNFICYP (0 women), UNIFIL (8 women), UNMIL (6 women), UNMISS (22 women), UNOCI (0 women), UNTSO (0 women).
Peacekeepers from China were involved in 0 out of 103 allegations against civilian, military, police and other peacekeeping personnel in 2016.
S/PV.7643: "The sexual exploitation and abuse problem involves troop-contributing countries. The Council should fully hear and heed the views of the troop-contributing countries. We believe that the Security Council should have had ample time for further consultation to maximise our efforts to seek agreement and forge consensus to the largest extent possible."
Governmental support for women's civil society:
- Engagement in joint government/NGO efforts: No
- Funding provided by government: Yes
The People's Republic of China receives 50% because:
Though the official position of the government is that it engages with women's civil society, the attacks and persecution against could not be considered supportive on any metric, rather, the state positions comprises a rigid resistance to CSO advocacy and freedoms. Furthermore, inadequate financial support to women's organisations is provided, there is no special WPS focus in the work of women's civil society, the number of projects on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in existence is very low.
In 2016 the Chinese government conducted what rights experts are naming an "unprecedented crackdown" on journalists and rights interest groups in an attempt to choke off civil society. Hard-line policies on political freedoms and civil liberties included the rejection of judicial oversight of party actions. Harassment of previously tolerated civil society organisations, women’s rights defenders, labor activists, and human rights lawyers intensified during the year. In July, security forces detained over 250 individuals involved in public-interest legal work. Security laws and rules for overseas NGOs that came into force last year give the Chinese state “draconian” new powers to “expand already strict control over independent organisations, including their funding sources, staffing, and activities”. Authorities’ heightened hostility toward civil society extended to women’s rights activists in 2016. In January, Guo Jianmei, founder of the well-known Beijing Zhongze Women's Legal Counseling and Service Center, closed the organisation, citing official pressure. Key women's organisation's (All-China Women's Federation) efforts in regard to gender issues include the following:
- Number of conferences: 15+;
- Number of publications: 25 (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
Total Number of NGOs: 675,000 (An estimated 3 million more NGOs operate without proper registration because the criteria for doing so remain stringent despite gradual relaxation in recent years).
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.
The People's Republic of China hosted the following high-level events in 2016:
- Beyond Commitment to Action: Fulfilling Global Leaders Promises on GEWE towards 2030 Transformative Agenda for Sustainable Development - March 14
- 10th Annual World Academy of Women Symposium;
**Note: The information about the high-level events has been collected using available media sources.
"China Crackdown Aimed at Systematically Shutting Down Civil Society," The Globe and Mail
"The State of NGOs in China Today," Brookings Institute
"Calendar of Side Events," UN Women
"China Eliminating Civil Society by Targeting Human Rights Activists," The Guardian
"Freedom in the World Report 2017: China," Freedom House
"Human Rights Watch World Report 2017- Country Chapters, China and Tibet," Human Rights Watch
National Programme for Women's Development (2011-2020) was formulated on the basis of the basic principles prescribed in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the stipulations of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women and other related laws, the purposes of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women and other international conventions and documents, the general objectives and requirements of economic and social development, and the actual situation concerning women's development and gender equality in China.
Military Expenditure: $215,000,000,000
_____
There was no National Action Plan on the Implementation of Resolution 1325.
Military Expenditure in 2015: $214,787,000,000
_____
There was no National Action Plan on the Implementation of Resolution 1325.
National Programme for Women's Development (2011-2020):
-optimises distribution of resources and expand maternal and child health care funding in rural and remote areas;
-provides financial support to ensure that impoverished girls and girls with disabilities receive universal preschool education;
-provides financial support to impoverished girls and girls with disabilities in high school education, and ensure that girls do not drop out of school because of poverty and/or physical disabilities; progressively provides free secondary vocational education and ensure that girls who fail to go on to senior high school receive the necessary vocational education before seeking employment;
-provides financial support to impoverished and/or disabled women college students in various forms and through multiple channels;
-encourages financial institutions, enterprises and other organisations to offer, in cooperation with women's organisations, rural women-oriented financial services and relevant training.
Women made up 23.6% of the Parliament.
13% of ministerial positions were held by women in the People's Republic of China in 2016.
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.13
14.9% of law enforcement positions were held by women in the People's Republic of China.
Chinese law enforcement entities have increased their efforts to combat violence against women in recent years. The National People's Congress Standing Committee has placed emphasis on the enforcement of laws to protect the rights and interests of women since 2015.
28% of judges in the People's Republic of China were women.
Women's labour participation rate was 70%.
Unemployment rate (percentage of female/male labour force):
Female: N/A
Male: N/A
Estimated earned income (PPP US$):
Female: 10,049
Male: 16,177
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.62
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): 1.07
Enrollment in primary education: 87% (***Note: This data is of 2015)
Enrollment in secondary education: 47%
Enrollment in tertiary education: 43%
The enrollment 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: 94
Male: 98
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 1
Enrollment in primary education
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): N/A
Enrollment in secondary education
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 0.95
Enrollment in tertiary education
Ratio (0 = Inequality, 1 = Equality): 1.16
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 (2016-2020);
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 Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2013-2020);
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."
National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2016-2020); China Daily
"China passes first domestic violence law," Guardian
Tingting, Chen. "China’s First Law Against Domestic Violence: It’s No Longer a Private Matter," The Asia Foundation
"Gender Equality and Women’s Development in China," The State Council
"Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women," china.org.ch
Wu, Amanda. "Chronicle of China's Anti-Domestic Violence Legislation (1995-2015)," Women of China
"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
"Consitution of the People's Republic of China," The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China
"Constitutional Provisions on Women's Equality," Library of Congress
"China Allows All Couples to Have 2nd Child," Women of China
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
"Happy Mother’s Day from the Supreme People’s Court Monitor!," Supreme People’s Court Monitor
The Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. During the year, the government reported convicting at least 714 traffickers, through its publicly available data, and reported cooperating with neighboring countries to repatriate foreign trafficking victims. Despite these efforts, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to address anti-trafficking compared to the previous year;therefore, PRC is placed on Tier 2 Watch List.
Existence of a law against sexual violence:
Domestic Violence Law of the People's Republic of China.
Governmental efforts to eliminate sexual violence nationally:
Government efforts to eliminate sexual violence were primarily accomplished through support and funding to The National Programme for Chinese Women's Development(2011-2020), the China National Programme for Child Development (2011-2020, the All-China Women's Foundation, and through coordination with UN Women's efforts.
Existence of a national crisis hotline:
The Ministry of Public Security has set up "110" anti-domestic violence call centres in most provinces. A warning system was created in Jiangsu, Ningxia and some other places to deal with misdemeanor cases of domestic violence.
Number of women's shelters:
3011 shelters established to give aid and shelter to more than 23,000 women and children. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has set up domestic violence shelters in around 100 cities in nearly 20 provincial-level jurisdictions.
Number of women's rape crisis centres:
Women's centres in most regions provide limited rape crisis services, but exact number unavailable.
"Chinese Students learn to use social media to prevent Gender-Based Violence," UN Women
Zhao, Frank. "Building a Nonviolent World for Women," Women of China
"UNODC Assaults, Kidnapping, Robbery, Sexual Offences, Sexual Rape, Total Sexual Violence, 2014," Knoema
"Eliminating Violence Against Women," UN Women
"Domestic Violence Law 2015," China Law Translate
Veterans affairs offices exist, but it is unknown whether they provide specific services and resources for female veterans.
Officially, all veterans receive the same benefits from the State, including female veterans. However, very little additional information exists.
"Resettlement of demobilised 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
"China is diversifying resettlement veterans," Caixin
"Retired soldiers resettlement policy," Shanghai Municipal People's Government
There are inadequate domestic violence shelters to meet the needs of female victims, yet some shelters remain unused due to social stigma;
The absence of a system to ensure funding for battered women's legal aid is also an outstanding concern;
According to the All-China Women’s Federation, about a quarter of all married women in China have suffered violence in their marriages, though only 40,000 to 50,000 complaints are registered by women’s federations each year. Almost 90 percent of reported cases involve abuse of women by their husbands, though men are not immune to domestic abuse.
"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
"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
"'Development of Chinese Women (2011-2020),' the implementation of statistical reporting," National Bureau of Statistics
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 China Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons (2013–2020) 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.
"2016 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
China’s policy concerning the world’s current migration crisis is focused on contribution to refugee programmes. At the 2016 Leaders’ Summit on Refugees, China pledged $300 million in new assistance. Of that, $100 million will be in the form of humanitarian assistance to relevant countries and international organizations, $50 million will be given annually for the next three years to multilateral humanitarian organisations or relevant UN initiatives under the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, and $50 million for bilateral humanitarian aid.
China is the leader of the Belt and Road initiative, which is a far-reaching platform for international cooperation in multiple sectors including trade, investment, infrastructure, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. It spans more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa – some of which are producing or hosting refugees.
However, China ranks very low in the admission of refugees in its own territory. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Beijing, by the end of August 2015, there were nine refugees and 26 asylum seekers from Syria in China. They were among the 795 UN-registered “persons of concern,” or displaced people, mainly from Somalia, Nigeria, Iraq, and Liberia living in China temporarily while waiting to be transferred. In 2016, China has received 207,772 refugees.
Pan, Liang. "Why China Isn’t Hosting Syrian Refugees," Foreign Policy
"China," UNHCR
"Important documents," UNHCR
"The People's Republic of China: Factsheet," UNHCR
"Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2015," UNHCR
"Most North Korean Refugees are Women. Here is Why," Liberty in North Korea
"Distribution of migrant workers in China from 2011 to 2015, by gender," Statista Portal
WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:
General Women, Peace and Security: 3/25;
Conflict Prevention: 1/25;
Disarmament: 0/25;
Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 0/25;
Participation: 3/25;
Peace Processes: 2/25;
Peacekeeping: 0/25;
Protection: 5/25;
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 1/25;
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 1/25;
Implementation: 1/25;
Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 0/25;
Human Rights: 3/25.
S/PV.7704: "First, there is a need to put an end to wars and conflicts as soon as possible in order to achieve peace and development in conflict areas. That would serve to eradicate the phenomenon of conflict-related sexual violence, including trafficking in persons, especially in women and girls, at its roots."