Draft focuses on better protecting women

The protection of women, especially for those who are poor, elderly or disabled, is expected to be strengthened across China, a senior legislator told a news conference on Monday.

A draft revision to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women will be further reviewed during an upcoming session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, which is set to convene from Wednesday to Sunday.

The draft amendment orders government agencies to pay closer attention to women's rights and interests, calling for stronger protection for women in difficult situations, Zang Tiewei, spokesman for the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, said while introducing the draft's contents to media.

The draft focuses on protecting women's privacy and reputations, clarifying that media reports should be regulated to prevent them from infringing on women's personal rights, he said.

Under the draft, the human resources and social security departments are also allowed to work with trade unions or women federations to have regulatory talks with employers if companies are found to be having trouble guaranteeing women's labor rights and interests, he added.

"The draft revision aims to solve thorny difficulties involving women, including sexual harassment and gender discrimination in employment, and what we want is to optimize the environment for women's development, supporting them both in work and life," he said.