Working Meeting with the All China Women’s Federation
Report by Martha Atherton

On November 19th, the delegation had a working meeting with the All China Women's Federation. The briefing was done in an excellent fashion, primarily by Madame Zou.

We also were given many printed materials, some of which we plan to include with this report since they deal with matters of great import to the welfare of women and children. Of special significance was material on the new and ground-breaking “Marriage Law of the Republic of China” which was passed in 2001, with active support of ACWF.

(The delegation was presented with a full copy of this law which is available at the AWIU office by request. A copy of the title page and contents can be viewed here)

The ACWF has a full-time staff of 80,000, and 1,000,000 volunteers, to cover the needs of the 350,000,000 women whom they represent. There are no membership fees for the 5,800 group members, and there are no individual memberships.

At the national level there are groups representing women judges, journalists, entrepreneurs, etc.. Most of the groups are those that represent the political entities, from the village level on up.

Memberships are obtained by application, following registration with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The National Women’s Congress is convened every five years. The next one is scheduled for 2003. Two main thrusts, issues, of the ACWF are to represent and safeguard women's rights and interests and promote equality between women and men, and to aid women in their participation in economic development and social well being.

The ACWF is actively assisting in re-employment training for women during this period of transformation from the socialist (state-run) enterprises to the supply/market economy. Many people have been laid off from the state-run organizations. 45% of the laid off workers are women. Women represent 46% of the “working people”. In (2001) the unemployment rate in China was 3.5%.

The majority of women who were laid off are around 40 years old, and are inadequately educated. The ACWF is working on 31 projects, one in each province. The government labor department also offers courses for these women.

By the end of 2,000 the ACWF had reached a goal of assisting 1,000,000 women, in one way or another. It is acknowledged that it is difficult for people in the 40s and 50s to adjust to the new economy. The requests for light work, good pay, close to home, have a “familiar ring”. A “second income” in the family is necessary.

The economic independence is recognized as giving women status. Women begin working by age 20, on an average, and they work until they are 45 and up to 60. There are not many part-time jobs. Many are becoming self-employed. Interpreters are among those who can earn a good income.

The ACWF is funded by its economic entities—newspapers, magazines, travel services, college, the government budget allocations, and domestic and foreign donations. Small enterprises are financed by revolving micro-credits. Attention needs to be paid to the 11 western provinces in China which are underdeveloped.

While the stated compulsory education is 9 years, realistically the lst step is to offer 6 years of education, in many areas. There are also many drop-outs after the third year. It is difficult for many to afford $50 a year for education costs (particularly when the income per capita may be only $100).

Madame Zou was happy to mention that a Chicago based group named American Women for International Peace was sponsoring 150 girls. (Their donation is therefore assisting 150 girls in China vs. the cost of a single student in most of the Chicago area.)

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