Topic:
Country: China
Delegate Name: Camille Gerville-Reache
The strife towards women’s economic empowerment is not just a fight for women, but also every person and every nation. Recognizing economic empowerment is central to women’s rights, the United Nations has commissioned research surrounding the topic, revealing that OECD member countries lose an estimated 15% of GDP annually from gender gaps. Furthermore, organizational effectiveness and growth are more prevalent within businesses that hire female employees and leaders. Women create prosperity. However, inequalities such as gendered employment laws, unpaid care and domestic work, workplace harassment, and traditional, discriminatory attitudes prevent women from reaching full potential.
In order to combat inequities, the People’s Republic of China has provided preferential treatment in granting subsidies, loans, and tax benefits. China has also opened employment service centers, recruitment activities, assisted in re-employment efforts, and supported women’s federations. As a result, in 2019, women made up 43.7% of the workforce, proportional to being 48.7% of the population. In education, women make up 50% of university graduates, indicating future climbs in employed women. China has also placed special emphasis on supporting rural women, who are the majority of the agricultural workforce. The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Rural Land Contracting ensures equality between men and women in contracting and operating land. The China Population Welfare Foundation was also enlisted to assist poor mothers participate in economic development. Employing women was a major factor in achieving China’s monumental goal of eliminating extreme poverty. 80 million people were below the poverty line in 1994, and all are above as of 2020.
China urges all nations to consider its policies to uplift women in the economy and thus achieve poverty reduction, an expanding economy, and women’s rights. Women’s federations and laws to enforce prevent discrimination in advertising, hiring, etc allow women to utilize the justice system. Preferential treatment and assistance for women (especially poor mothers and rural) eliminate many barriers women can face for entering the workforce. China hopes that working with fellow nations to resolve inequalities and empower women in the economy will bring prosperity for all.
Works Cited
“3 Things to Know on China’s Poverty Reduction.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zwjg_665342/zwbd_665378/t1872272.shtml.
“Women in the Workforce: China (Quick Take).” Catalyst, 18 Nov. 2021, https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-the-workforce-china/.
“Gender Equality and Women’s Development in China.” Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland, https://www.mfa.gov.cn/ce/cegv//eng/rqrd/jblc/t210715.htm.
“Facts and Figures: Economic Empowerment.” UN Women, https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures.
