Holding up half the sky

cctv.com 03-08-2005 15:21

Chinese women have contributed greatly to the country's political, economic and cultural development. On the eve of International Women's Day, a celebration in Beijing marked the occasion by reflecting on Chinese women in past decades.

Governmental policies, and, more importantly, the efforts of their own have really added to meaning of the slogan "Women Hold Up Half the Sky", which adorns the walls of many Chinese buildings. As the President of the All-China Women's Federation, Gu Xiulian, points out, the Chinese government has made gender equality a basic state policy.

Gu Xiulian, president of All-China Women's Federation, said, “Through legal, administrative and educational measures, Chinese women's rights in politics, economy, culture, society and family life have been further developed."

But after several thousand years of feudalism, Chinese women would never be where they are today without a lot of hard work and fighting against discrimination.

Dao Meilan, an artist of the Dai ethnic group, who has made her name known all over the world with her unique peacock dance, has first hand experience of this.

Dao Meilan, Chinese artist, said, "I began my dancing career at the age of twelve. Over the past decades, I have toured many countries and won support and love from people all over the world. In this regard, I have achieved what men can do."

It is not only in the art circle, that women are at least holding up half of the sky, but also in politics as well. As Tang Wensheng has proved.

Having served as the interpreter for former top Chinese leaders, such as Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou En'lai, Tang later became an outstanding diplomat, working with her colleagues, male and female,to create better understanding between China and foreign countries.

A well-known U.S. lawyer, talking about the 1970's women's liberalization movement, said 'In my time and in my life, I have witnessed a revolution.' However, in their own ways, it seems all the Chinese women we have just met, and many of their sisters around the country are in fact creating history.

Editor:Chen Jie  Source:CCTV.com