Tougher penalties can help protect women
International Women’s Day falls in the same week as China’s annual parliamentary sessions. The coincidence will not be remembered so much in China for the chosen theme of gender equality in climate action, as for the political fallout from the scandal of a trafficked woman found chained up in a hut at Xuzhou city, Jiangsu province. It prompted Premier Li Keqiang to target the trafficking of women and children in his work report to the National People’s Congress, in which he promised a crackdown and more support for community groups and welfare.
The woman’s plight came to light more than a month ago when video footage of her with a chain around her neck, apparently put there by her husband, went viral.
Public anger simmered despite the diversion of the Beijing Winter Olympics, amid debate over revelations that she was sold twice in 1998, was mentally ill and had eight children. It was stoked by news of an investigation into reports that another woman was held captive in a cage in Yulin city, Shaanxi province.
Censorship, a 6,000-word statement by the Jiangsu authorities and the sacking, punishment or investigation of 17 officials failed to quell the furore. Authorities were accused of failing to respond quickly to the scandal and of trying to cover it up. Appeals by academics and activists for stronger recognition of women and children’s rights were reflected in a debate among a number of delegates about possible measures to protect them, particularly in poor areas.
On the 110th anniversary of International Women’s Day today, women in China still face unfair and unequal treatment and discrimination in their careers, while bearing the burden of raising children. In an ageing society the argument for addressing these disadvantages speaks for itself. Without awareness of women’s right to equality and a sense of security, it will be difficult to persuade families to answer the patriotic call to have more children.
Human trafficking of women and children continues on the mainland. The video in the Jiangsu case has prompted wider debate about child marriage, women’s rights and the protection of mentally ill people. It should lead to tougher deterrent penalties for buyers than the current three-year maximum jail term