The All-China Women's Federation on Wednesday made a donation towards the construction of ten shelter centers for female migrant workers in Beijing, in the hope of making their life in the city easier.

 

The ten centers, to be set up in neighborhood communities, will be equipped with books, TV sets, computers and other entertainment facilities.

 

"These rural women play a major role in promoting the city's economic and social development through hard work," said Huang Qingyi, vice chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, at the donation ceremony.

 

"Women's organizations across the country should offer migrant women as much assistance as possible and address their needs," Huang added.

 

According to China's fifth national population census, women account for 49.6 percent of the country's more than 120 million rural workers.

 

A hotline service "12338" was also opened in March last year for these migrant women should they need assistance.

 

Nationwide, the Chinese government has set up women's aid stations and opened anti-family violence hotlines to provide consulting services, shelter, medical care and psychological help for women in need.

 

Over the past 10 years, China has promulgated and implemented more than 100 laws and regulations, such as the Marriage Law and the Law on Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, to protect women and their rights.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2006)