2. Equal Participation in Whole-Process People's Democracy
As China advances whole-process people's democracy, it remains committed to increasing women's participation in the management of state, economic, cultural and social affairs. Women enjoy equal political rights and actively participate in democratic practices, contributing their strengths with great enthusiasm.
Exercising state power through the people's congresses. The proportion of women in people's congresses at all levels continues to rise. In the 14th NPC convened in 2023, there were 790 women deputies, accounting for 26.5 percent of the total. This represents an increase of 3.1 percentage points from the 12th NPC and 1.6 percentage points from the 13th NPC. At the county and township levels, women constitute 31.64 percent and 32.36 percent of deputies, respectively. These women deputies fulfill their duties in accordance with the law, soliciting and reflecting public opinion from all sectors of society. Between 2018 and 2025, NPC women deputies put forward 29,328 suggestions, criticisms and opinions, accounting for 42.3 percent of the total.
Discussing state affairs and making suggestions at consultative meetings of the CPPCC. The proportion of female members in the CPPCC National Committee and local committees has seen a consistent increase. In 2023, 487 female members served on the National Committee of the 14th CPPCC, accounting for 22.4 percent of the total – an increase of 4.6 percentage points and 2 percentage points from the 12th CPPCC and 13th CPPCC, respectively. In the same year, there were 5,401 female members on the provincial-level committees of the CPPCC, accounting for 27.36 percent of the membership at this level. The female members fulfill their duties in full and play a major role in political consultation, democratic supervision, and the deliberation and administration of state affairs. Since the 14th CPPCC National Committee, female members have submitted 4,282 proposals, representing 26.6 percent of the total.
Actively engaging in decision-making and administration. China attaches importance to the cultivation and selection of female officials and the recruitment of women into the CPC. It has formulated and implemented outlines for strengthening Party and government leadership teams and on women's development, which set specific quantitative and proportional requirements for the appointment of female officials and female heads of leadership bodies. These goals are expected to be met while strict quality standards are upheld.
The proportions of women among the CPC membership and delegates to the Party congresses are increasing. In 2024, 30.9 percent of CPC members were female, an increase of 7.1 percentage points compared to the 2012 level. Female Party members accounted for 27 percent of the delegates to the 20th CPC National Congress, an increase of 4 percentage points from the Party's 18th National Congress in 2012. Women represent 42.3 percent, 43.78 percent, and 51.5 percent of all the judges, prosecutors and jurors nationwide.
Extensively participating in grassroots democracy. Effective measures have been taken in the villagers committee elections to expand women's membership. In 2022, women constituted 26.1 percent of villagers committee members and 54.3 percent of urban residents committee members, an increase of 4 percentage points and 5.5 percentage points, respectively, from 2012 levels.
Female workers play an active role in democratic management in enterprises. In 2023, women employees made up 37.7 percent, 41.9 percent, and 34.2 percent of the boards of directors, boards of supervisors, and workers' congress representatives, increasing by 11.4 percentage points, 14.9 percentage points, and 4.4 percentage points, respectively, compared to 2012. A total of 431,000 councils of women have been established in urban and rural communities, facilitating extensive consultations on public affairs concerning women's immediate interests.
(Source: SCIO White Paper China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era)
Editor: Cui Rui
