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International Women’s Day: China looks at domestic violence, illegal surrogacy, and paternity leave

  • Legal loopholes and market demand have resulted in a commercial surrogacy boom in China
  • China’s anti-domestic violence law has been poorly enforced with victims’ reports to police often ignored or not recognised as domestic violence

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Despite new laws introduced in 2016, domestic violence remains a major issue in China. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s annual parliamentary meetings, the Two Sessions, are under way in Beijing and are expected to discuss issues ranging from economics and religion to sport, health and foreign affairs.
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For International Women’s Day we have put together a list of top topics that concern women being discussed this year.

More than 5,000 members from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC) will be taking part.

Although most of the ideas are unlikely to be acted on, they offer a glimpse into some of the most urgent social problems facing China at the moment.

Strengthening China’s surrogacy ban

Legal grey areas have allowed illegal surrogacy to boom in China. Photo: Handout
Legal grey areas have allowed illegal surrogacy to boom in China. Photo: Handout

Jiang Shengnan, famous writer and a member of the NPC, proposed that there should be a wider ban on surrogacy, especially organisers; agencies that help clients travel to clinics overseas.

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