In Tibet: Women are no longer 'straw ropes'

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In old Tibet, people were divided into unequal levels by the old codes which have been used for hundreds of years. At that time, women were classified as low-level people, with few rights.

"Their life is equal to the straw rope." Women then were treated as livestock and were often given to others as gifts.

But things have changed in today's Tibet.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the democratic reform in Tibet, which leads to the abolition of serfdom. The movement in 1959 helped millions of serfs become masters of their own life, especially for women.

Women nowadays have more opportunities for education, political participation and starting businesses. They are also gradually becoming the main force in all walks of life.

In the old times, many females didn't have the chance to go to school. In a family, men usually had the priorities for education.

After the democratic reform, the proportion of girls in school rises sharply. /VCG Photo

After the democratic reform, the proportion of girls in school has risen sharply. Since 1985, Tibet has implemented the "three guarantees policy" (including food, clothing and tuition fees) for farmers' and herdsmen's children to receive compulsory education, and the standard is being gradually raised. In 2015, the proportion of girls in school reached 50%.

Women are no longer stuck at home. According to local women authorities, Tibet has seen an increasing number of women joining the workforce as well as a growth of income.

The regional Women's Federation said that in 2018, a series of policies against poverty attracted more than 20 million yuan to encourage women to start businesses.

The federation held more than 560 skill training activities, helping over 20,000 impoverished women start business or find jobs.

The employment rate of women in Tibet increased to 40% in 2018, said the chairwoman of the federation.

She also mentioned that they have implemented the “Internet plus” entrepreneurship model to help people overcome poverty.

Besides education and job opportunities, more and more Tibetan women are participating in political events.

More Tibetan women are participating in political events nowadays. /VCG Photo

According to official statistics, women account for 27.33% of the 11th People's Congress of Tibet, increasing 5.33% compared with the previous one. And the proportion of women in the 11th CPPCC Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee reached 26.59%, an increased of 5.09%.

"The social status of contemporary Tibetan women is getting higher and higher, and at the same time, their social responsibilities are getting heavier and heavier." said a female CPPCC member from Tibet.

She said she felt so lucky to be a modern Tibetan woman, and she will try her best to fight for women's rights and interests as a CPPCC member.

The regional Women's Federation also said they will continue to provide more training for women in the future, especially those in rural and pasturing areas.

(Video edited by Wang Baozhu)