President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed upholding the socialist path with Chinese characteristics for women's development and mobilizing women to make achievements.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when meeting the new leadership of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF).
Underlining the Party's leadership over the work of women's development, Xi said the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation should be the theme of the contemporary women's movement.
Efforts should be made to promote gender equality, enable women to play an active role in all sectors, and mobilize them to contribute to the reform, development and stability of the nation on the frontline, Xi said.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, was also present.
On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended congratulations to the 12th National Women's Congress and the new ACWF leadership.
He noted that the new ACWF leadership has demonstrated firm commitments to and strong confidence in fully implementing the decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee, adding that the committee places great expectations on them.
Acknowledging the performance of women's federations over the past five years, Xi urged them to willingly uphold the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized, unified leadership, and closely follow the committee in terms of thinking, political orientation and actions.
Stressing their ideological and political work, he instructed women's federations to enhance women's confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
They should fulfill their major missions to represent and protect women's rights and interests, and promote gender equality and the well-rounded development of women, he said.
Close attention must be paid to vulnerable women, including those living in poverty-stricken areas and the disabled, he said.
Underlining the fundamental national policy of gender equality, Xi pledged to protect the legitimate rights and interests of women and children.
Xi said that over a long period, gender equality and respect for women have been better recognized but discrimination against women still exists.
He called for measures from the state level that would address problems in this regard, ensure resolute crackdowns on crimes that seriously violate women's rights and interests, and refute wrong opinions about women in a timely manner.
He also called on women's federations to further create a better environment for women's well-rounded development in these aspects.
Stressing women's unique role in social and family life, Xi said core socialist values should be upheld so that women love both their families and their country, and encourage their family members to develop a sense of patriotism and family values.
Efforts should also be made to help women have a better work-life balance and encourage them to make contributions in the new era with greater self-esteem, confidence and self-reliance, Xi said.
He further required more concrete measures to reform women's federations to improve their services, particularly at the grassroots level, and to foster competent staff for relevant work.
He also asked Party committees at all levels to create sound conditions for women's federations to carry out such work.
