The President of the 76th session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, met with All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) and women representatives working on the frontline combating the COVID-19 pandemic, during his visit to China.
The ACWF briefed the President on the polices of the Chinese government with regard to protecting women’s rights during the COVID19 pandemic including setting up especial hospitals for treating pregnant women infected with COVID19, prioritizing the testing and treatment for pregnant women and infants, securing women’s employment through reducing tax burdens, vocational training, and financial and fiscal support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises run by women. Four women representatives from different walks of life, including Ms. Cao Wei, a doctor and Ms. Wang Yating, a nurse, who treated patients with COVID19 at the most pressing moment of pandemic in China, Ms. Liu Kun, a CEO running a medical equipment company supplying China and the world with PPE and ventilators, and Ms Gao Xiaoxia, a community leader organizing local disease control measures, shared their stories of courage, responsibility and sacrifice.
The President highly praised the devotedness and heroism of the briefers and extended his gratitude to all frontline workers, especially female medical workers who continue to make huge sacrifices for the humanity. He noted women are grossly under-represented across all spheres and regions, including at the decision-making levels. He reiterated his commitments under the Presidency of Hope, to mainstreaming gender parity throughout his work, and ensuring that empowerment of women and girls is a cross-cutting issue across the work of the 76th UNGA.
The meeting took place virtually in Huzhou, China.
