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China. Contemporary Women’s Issues. Statistics. Women account for approximately 48% of China’s population of 1.3 billion people. Approximately 60% of the population lives in urban areas. United Nations CEDAW Report. China was one of the first nations to sign.
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China Contemporary Women’s Issues
Statistics • Women account for approximately 48% of China’s population of 1.3 billion people. • Approximately 60% of the population lives in urban areas
United Nations CEDAW Report • China was one of the first nations to sign. • Since 1995, more than 2/3 of all international development aid received has gone to public hygiene, education, water supply, poverty, and the advancement of women. • China has developed a comprehensive system of laws and regulations to guarantee women’s rights. • Since 2000, Women’s Rights Protection Week has been in place to help educate the public of the rights of women.
Education Institutions of higher learning 1998 – 38% 2001 – 42% = +4% Specialized secondary school 1998 – 52% 2001 – 55% = +3% Secondary normal school 1998 – 65% 2001 – 70% = +5% Regular secondary schools 1998 – 45% 2001 – 46% = +1%
China’s One Child Policy • After Comunist took control, the Chinese population exploded. • Between 1949 and 1974, the population grew 2% per year. • Concerns grew world wide about overpopulation. • In 1979, China instituted the one child policy, limiting couples to just one child.
National Obligation vs. Individual Rights • China was under tremendous international pressure to deal with population issue. • China launches enormous public education initiative. • All births must be registered. • What happens if a woman gets pregnant a second time?
Late-term Abortion There is not a word strong enough to describe the brutality of a late-term abortion. Doctors would "induce premature labor," says Chi An, who is a trained nurse. "Then, after the cervix had dilated and the crown of the baby's head was exposed, he would inject pure formaldehyde into the fetal brain through the fontanel, or soft spot." If the cervix did not dilate fully, the doctor would "reach in with forceps and crush the baby's skull" (Mosher, 255). In China a late-term abortion was considered legal as long as the baby was "partly in the womb" (Mosher, 255).
China’s Official Policy? China's Vice Health Minister Jiang Zuojun at a news conference said, "Regarding the abortion of eight-month-old fetuses, this is definitely something the Chinese government is opposed to," adding, "We do not allow the abortion of elderly fetuses, such as eight-month fetuses. ... Even if there are such cases, they are isolated cases."
Bibliography Heilig, G.K. (2006). Analyses: Tables, Figures & Maps. Retrieved September 16, 2007, from China-Profile Web site: http://www.citationmachine.net/index.php?source=39&callstyle=2&all=#here United Nations, (6/10/2007). Combined fifth and sixth periodic report of state parties - china. Conventio on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Retrieved 09/14/2007, from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm#c Overpopulation.com, (1996). China's one child policy. Retrieved September 14, 2007, from Overpopulation.com Web site: http://www.overpopulation.com/faq/countries-of-the-world/asia/china/chinas-one-child-policy/ Nadeau, M. (1996). China's one child policy: national obligation versus individual rights. Road to East Asia, Vol. 1, No. 3, Retrieved 9/14/2007, from http://www.yorku.ca/iwai/marian.html Mosher, Steven. A Mother's Ordeal. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1993. Kaiser, (2006, August 14). China denies forced late-term abortions common; country against practice. Retrieved September 16, 2007, from Medical News Today Web site: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/49374.php