5. Women's Contributions in the Eco-environmental Field
China upholds and acts on the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and promotes modernization based on harmony between humanity and nature by following a path of green development that gives priority to eco-environmental conservation. Women play an important role in building a beautiful China, and are continuing to develop the awareness and skills required to drive forward eco-environmental protection.
Promoting ecosystem protection and restoration. China pursues the integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands and deserts, with the aim of establishing an overarching framework that extends from the mountaintops to the oceans. Women play a significant role in the nation's ecosystem protection and restoration. Among the 17,000 eco-environmental guardians working at the 190,700 sq km Sanjiangyuan National Park, 33.3 percent are women. The Women Tree-Planting Team in Changjiang Li Autonomous County of Hainan Province has been dedicated to planting more than six million coastal defense trees, establishing a forest spanning over 2,000 hectares in the desert after 30 years of trial and error. The women's militia company for sand control in Shaanxi Province has converted more than 933.33 hectares of barren deserts into oases covered with rows of trees over the past five decades. The women's volunteer team in Helan County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region conducts regular activities to protect rivers, shoals, and birds, and the Women's Action for the Yangtze River Protection is an ongoing activity in Nanjing City of Jiangsu Province to provide vital protection for China's longest river. Women's perseverance and wisdom are shown in many aspects of eco-environmental protection, from green coverage expansion and desertification prevention and control, to the protection of forests, rivers, and biodiversity.
Accelerating the green transformation of production models. China upholds green and low-carbon development as a fundamental approach to resolving environmental problems, and promotes a sound economic structure that facilitates green, low-carbon, and circular development. Women actively participate in the efforts to promote green development in industry, shift the production model of agriculture, and improve the sustainable level of the service industry. By 2024, the number of companies in the green economy sector invested in by women entrepreneurs had reached 445,000, accounting for 27.4 percent of the total. These companies cover a range of market segments, including clean energy, organic agriculture, and eco-conservation. Scientific management of fertilizer and pesticide use and innovative ecological planting serve to save agricultural resources, improve the eco-environment of agricultural production areas, and supply high-quality green agricultural products, promoting the triple-win of less pesticide use, more income, and better environment. New models of eco-environmental businesses have been established, including urban modern agriculture, leisure agriculture, eco-tourism, high-quality homestays, and rural complexes. By the end of 2024, the number of family farms run by women reached 487,000, and women accounted for 68.6 percent of all holders of vocational skill certificates in rural homestay housekeeping.
Living a green lifestyle. Green development is closely connected to each of our lives. Chinese women advocate the values of eco-civilization and encourage simple, moderate, green, low-carbon, sound and healthy ways of life and consumption by integrating these concepts into everyday routines. They have played a leading role in building green families through saving water and electricity, participating in the "Clear Your Plate" campaign, using green modes of transport, and engaging in waste sorting. Women also actively participate in developing beautiful courtyards and harmonious villages, guided by standards such as tidy rooms, hygienic kitchens and toilets, neat courtyards, abundant greenery, and harmonious families. To date, more than 12 million households have been awarded the title of "Beautiful Courtyard". Women are consistently in the frontline of enhancing public awareness of environmental protection and improving community environment. For example, in Shanghai, a themed campaign was launched to find 10,000 families living a green lifestyle and recruit 100,000 family waste sorting volunteers, creating a good atmosphere for the million families participating in this endeavor.
Participating in disaster prevention and mitigation. China regards people's lives and safety as the primary goal of disaster prevention and mitigation. It boosts public participation and improves the capabilities of the whole society to defend and respond to disasters, and women play a key role in this – particularly in investigation and identification of potential risks and hidden dangers, early warning and treatment, and information reporting. In 2024, women accounted for 23.6 percent of disaster information assistants nationwide, totaling 267,000, and comprised 61.6 percent of national chief meteorological experts. Women actively participate in disaster relief operations and public education on disaster prevention and mitigation, and promote family education in relevant fields. There are 13.71 million registered women fire volunteers nationwide, representing 52.4 percent of the total. The National Natural Disaster Emergency Relief Plan put forward requirements for safeguarding the rights and interests of special groups. Through the collaborative efforts of the government and society, material guarantee for special needs, such as women's hygiene products and supplies for pregnant and postpartum women, has been strengthened.
(Source: SCIO White Paper China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era)
Editor: Cui Rui
