UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official said here Thursday that the international community should promote legislation on gender equality and guarantee women's rights and interests.
Addressing the 55th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Song Xiuyan, vice chair-person of the All China Women's Federation, said that the international community should continue to strengthen its efforts to enhance women's economic situation and political status, improve women's participation in society, education and labor market, eliminate violence against women, and guarantee women's rights and interests.
Song said the launching of UN Women, formally known as the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, clearly indicates the great importance that different parties have attached to, and the broad consensus reached on women issues.
"This marks a concrete step that the United Nations has taken to further push forward gender equality, and an important milestone in global women's movement," said Song, who is also the vice-chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council of China.
She proposed that the UN Women should be committed to the realization of women's full development, with more input being made to alleviate poverty among women and to improve their education and health.
Besides, the needs of the developing countries should be addressed with priority and their capacity building should be enhanced in UN Women's operational activities, Song said.
She added that the principle of being open, transparent as well as geographical balance should be applied in the allocation of financial and human resources, and coordination with other UN entities should be strengthened.
"The Chinese government stands ready to enhance cooperation with all states, adopt practical measures and make concerted efforts for the realization of gender equality and women's empowerment," Song said.
The 55th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women, is being held from Feb. 22 to March 4 at the UN headquarters in New York.
During her stay at the United Nations, Song also met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Under-Secretary-General Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet and other UN officials on boosting ties between China and the world body.
