UN notes few women in top China government positions

Robert Besser
04 Jun 2023, 13:20 GMT+10

Describing the lack of women in China's top leadership as concerning, the United Nations has recommended the country adopt a gender parity system
The recommendations for China were made by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
It urged China to increase the number of women in all government bureaus, including the judiciary and foreign service, particularly at decision making levels

HONG KONG, China: Describing the lack of women in China's top leadership as concerning, the United Nations has recommended the country adopt a gender parity system.

The recommendations for China by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was made alongside findings on Germany, Iceland, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Spain, Timor-Leste and Venezuela.

Admitting that China's representation of women in political and public life has increased, the committee was concerned that women only represent 26.54 percent of deputies to the 14th National People's Congress. It urged China to increase the number of women in all government bureaus, including the judiciary and foreign service, particularly at decision making levels.

"Since October 2022, there have been no women among the 24 members of the politburo of the Communist party of China for the first time in 20 years, and no women among the seven members of the standing committee of the politburo."

The committee also expressed concern over the excessive restrictions on NGO registrations and intimidation and harassment against women human rights defenders.

China's foreign ministry said the government attaches "great importance" to international exchanges and cooperation in the field of women and "will carefully study the useful comments made by the committee and continue to work with the international community to promote the cause of women worldwide."

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