Caring and Supporting the Elderly Women

In China, by the end of 2013, the number of those aged 60 and above reached 202 million, or 14.9 percent of the total population. [Women of China]

In China, by the end of 2013, the number of those aged 60 and above reached 202 million, or 14.9 percent of the total population. The 6th national population census showed that women account for 51.3 percent of the elderly population. Thus, China has the largest aging population and quickest pace of aging among developing countries. In coping with the challenges and opportunities for socio-economic development brought by an aging population, the Chinese government has attached great importance to the issue and actively participates in promoting the formulation and implementation of related policies. It is fostering a healthy social environment for elderly people, especially elderly women. Due to the effects of gender discrimination experienced over their lifetime, elderly women are under more pressure than elderly men for their survival and development. They constitute a disadvantaged group to be cared for and supported by society.

Gender Awareness Included into Mainstream Decision-making

In October 1999, the State Council established the National Work Committee for the Elderly to deliberate on and coordinate the work for elderly citizens. Its membership draws from 27 ministries and commissions and other organizations.

In August 2000, the Central Party Committee and the State Council introduced the Decision of the Central Party Committee and the State Council on Strengthening the Work for the Elderly.

The State Council promulgated the 10th Five-year Plan, 11th Five-year Plan, and 12th Five-year Plan in 2001, 2006, and 2011 respectively, which serve as important guidelines for elderly-related work.

In 2009, the National Work Committee for the Elderly launched the "National Research on Strategic Policies in Coping with the Aging of the Population" project, which featured special research into issues affecting elderly women. The National Program for the Development of Chinese Women (2011-2020) issued by the State Council contains specific requirements for elderly women's social security, medical care, education, and social participation.

In January 2013, the newly amended Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Elderly Citizens was issued and implemented. In September 2013, the State Council issued the Suggestions on Strengthening Development of Services for the Elderly. And in February 2014 the State Council issued the Suggestions on the Establishment of Uniform Pension Systems for Rural and Urban Residents.

These laws and regulations, introduced over such a short period of time, demonstrate the efforts of the Chinese government to establish and perfect a system of laws and regulations for the elderly population. Elderly women have gained the attention of the government and the whole society, and gender awareness has been gradually included in the mainstream system of national policies for the elderly.

Pension Systems Developed Continuously

During the 2000s, the systems closely related to the development of elderly women made great progress. The development of a social security system has been fruitful. The urban and rural basic pension schemes have reached full coverage. As of the end of 2013, those participating in the basic pension schemes totaled 819 million nationwide. Since 2002, pension payments for retirees of enterprises have been on the rise.

According to the 6th national population census, in 2010, 19.6 percent of elderly women had pension payments as their main source of income, an increase of 6.7 percentage points from ten years ago; the proportion of elderly women who were dependent on their family members declined by 7.2 percentage points. Thus, the economic independence of elderly women as a whole increased. With the popularization of the system for ensuring a minimum standard of living across the country, the proportion of elderly women who had subsistence allowances as their main source of income reached 3.7 percent in 2010, an increase of 2.1 percentage points during the first ten years of the 21st century.

Health and Medical Conditions Significantly Improved

The life expectancy of Chinese women reached 77.37 years in 2010 (five years more than men), up four years compared with 2000. According to the data of the third national survey on women's social status, 81.2 percent of elderly women are healthy or basically healthy, nearly 73.4 percent of elderly women can take care of themselves in daily life, and are psychologically and mentally healthy.

In 1998 China started to establish a basic medical insurance system for urban employees and in 2002 launched a new cooperative medicare system in rural areas on a pilot basis. In 2013 the basic medical insurance system for urban employees reached full coverage on the whole, and the basic allowances for medical insurance for urban and rural residents increased by 280 yuan (US $44) per person.

In 2013, the State Council promulgated the Suggestions on Promoting Healthy Development of Health Services.

In response to the challenges brought about by the aging population, the medical service sectors are strengthening their health management services and prevention and control of chronic diseases for elderly women, which will undoubtedly further improve their health and medical condition.

Policies Being Popularized

With social-economic development in China over the past decade, the welfare system for the elderly has become established nationwide. As of August 2014, a total of 19 provinces and municipalities had established a system of allowances for citizens in advanced ages; 22 provinces and municipalities had introduced policies for subsidizing the services for elderly citizens in financial difficulties; Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Heilongjiang had established a system of subsidizing medical care for elderly citizens with disabilities; all 31 provinces and municipalities had instituted waivers or reductions of regular registration fees at hospitals; urban public transportation had provided discounted fares for elderly passengers; and public cultural service facilities such as museums at various levels had provided all elderly citizens with free access.

Implementation of the policies of universal benefits for the elderly is of far more importance for improving the living conditions of elderly women with less favorable socio-economic situations, and they are actually the main beneficiaries of these policies.

High Levels of Social Participation

The third national survey on the social status of women also suggests that the life quality of elderly women on the whole has improved significantly, with an increase of 2.3 years in their total length of education on average. In cities, many elderly women who are healthy, relatively younger, and well educated are the most active members in their communities, participating in public affairs management and cultural and sports events and thus playing a positive role in promoting the harmonious development of these communities.

Due to the large rural-urban migration of young and middle aged rural workers, 23.1 percent of elderly women in the rural areas still work in the fields, constituting an important force in agricultural production activities in today's China.

Challenges Ahead

However, currently China is still challenged by the low level of financial security for elderly women, inadequate health and care resources for their health insurance, and low recognition of elderly women's social participation and contribution.

Data Speaks

* In 2013, the number of those aged 60 and above reached 202 million, or 14.9% of the Chinese population. Women account for 51.3% of the Chinese elderly population.

* The life expectancy of Chinese women reached 77.37 years in 2010 (5 years more than men), up 4 years compared with 2000.

*In 2010, 19.6 percent of elderly women had pension payments as their main source of income, an increase of 6.7 percentage points from ten years ago.

(Women of China)