Supporting efforts to counter domestic violence in China
The NCHR has worked on domestic violence issues in China for over 20 years. We supported the Anti Domestic Violence Network (ADVN) for over a decade and ADVN became a strong contributor to China’s first anti-domestic violence law that entered into force in 2016. The new law marked a milestone in combating domestic violence in China, but major challenges remain. To try to address the gap between the formal law and actual practices the NCHR has supported the production of three handbooks on domestic violence and we are now supporting Chinese partners in providing education for local women unions’ staff, local elderly peoples committees, social workers, child welfare workers, health workers and teachers on how to prevent and help victims of domestic violence. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of continued work on these issues.
Supporting education for gender equality at Chinese universities
Although women’s position in the Chinese society has improved in the last 25 years there is still a large gap between theory and practice for women’s rights. Discriminatory practices still exist on many levels in China. One way that the NCHR has tried to contribute to increased knowledge about these issues has been through support to the education of Chinese university teachers on gender and human rights issues. Together with the Constitutionalism Research Institute at China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) and the Swedish Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) the NCHR has sought to inspire Chinese teachers to include gender equality issues in their teaching activities. As the project continues the NCHR hopes to see a lasting impact on Chinese education in this field.
First Chinese textbook on gender and human rights
The NCHR and RWI has also supported the development of the
first Chinese textbook on gender and human rights. The book was published in 2020 and is written by an editorial group of Chinese researchers and civil society representatives with special knowledge about gender equality and human rights. The editorial group visited Oslo in 2018 and met with representatives from many Norwegian organisations and institutions working on gender equality issues.
Chief Editor of the textbook Professor Liu Xiaonan at CUPL Constitutionalism Research Institute says
This textbook on gender and human rights is the first of its kind in China! I have witnessed an increased interest in gender issues among Chinese academics and among Chinese students in the last years. I hope that the textbook will inspire and make it easier for Chinese university teachers to include a gender perspective in their teaching activities. It is also my hope that the textbook will contribute to more public awareness about gender and human rights in China.
Our partners at RWI are organising an interesting webinar about gender equality and empowerment of women in China on the morning of 8 March. Professor Liu Xiaonan will contribute to this webinar as will the former NCHR China Programme Director Lisa Stearns. More information about how to participate in the RWI webinar
More information about Equality and Non-discrimination work at the NCHR