Hebei Holds Seminar on Violence Against Women

The Hebei Women's Federation recently cooperated with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the National Center for Women and Children's Health to hold a seminar on violence against women, in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province.

The seminar discussed the experiences of Chengde County on implementing a project that uses medical intervention to help combat violence against women. The seminar coincided with the drafting of China's first independent anti–domestic violence law and represents a significant step in China's fight against all forms of violence toward women.

Since 2008, the ACWF has worked with the UNFPA to implement anti–domestic violence projects across China. Chengde County, one of two regions selected as pilot areas, has worked hard to implement the project within its community, and the local government has even incorporated anti–domestic violence efforts and measures into its plan and assessment system. Chengde County became the first county in China to adopt regional regulations on violence against women. The local government established a management information system for governmental institutions and set up a working mechanism of medical interventions. Not only has violence against women been greatly reduced in the county since the implementation of the project, but the influence of the region’s women's organization has seen a significant increase as well.

The meeting’s attendees said that they would seize the opportunity and make innovations in the administration of justice and take more measures to protect those who have been victims of domestic violence.

At the seminar, the Hebei Women's Federation made plans to promote the success story of Chengde County within the province and called on women's federations at all levels to study the county’s experience and take concrete measures to combat violence against women.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)