This year’s International Women’s Day comes amidst unprecedented global movements on gender equality and justice. Campaigns such as “Me Too” - which spoke out against sexual harassment, violence and gender discrimination - have reshaped public discourse, and called for greater solidarity among women everywhere.

Inspired by this determination for change, Chinese officials said the country will continue to uphold the lawful rights and interests of women in China.

President of the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) Shen Yueyue said in a reception on Wednesday, that new achievements in women’s rights are being made constantly under President Xi Jinping and that women today have a greater sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. 

“The scale of employment for women has continued to expand, the number of poor women in rural areas has drastically decreased, and women’s equal rights have been effectively protected,” Shen said.

Over the past decade, more and more women across China have become leaders in fields such as science, technology, education, entrepreneurship and politics. This year alone, the proportion of female delegates attending the annual Two Sessions has seen a significant increase.

According to official statistics, there are 742 female deputies in the 13th National People’s Congress, the national legislature, and 440 female members in the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body. Both are slight increases on the 12th editions.

“Since the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress, the status of women in China has improved significantly. The frequent amendments to the various laws and policies have better ensure equal rights for women,” said Mou Hong, Director-general of the International Liaison Department at ACWF.

Mou added that this rise in the awareness of gender equality together with increased efforts in providing more vocational training for women have all contributed to the growth of female participation in government affairs as well as in other fields.

Formed in 1949, the ACWF has long dedicated itself to the avocation of gender parity and justice for women and children across every ethnic background.

This year’s reception welcomed both domestic and foreign diplomats and expats from countries such as Australia, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Japan and Laos.

The first recorded observance of National Women’s Day took place in the United States in 1909. In 1975, the United Nations began celebration of the International Women’s Day and declared three years later the adoption of  “resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.”

China has been commemorating it for more than a hundred years.

 (With input from UN Women Watch.)