Chinese city targets domestic violence – but links to drive to discourage divorce spark concerns
- An initiative in Jiaquan city means that officials with a history of domestic abuse could be denied promotion
- Analysts warn that it treats domestic abuse primarily as a threat to social stability and goes hand in hand with efforts to promote traditional values
Officials in one Chinese city could be denied promotion if they are found to have a history of domestic violence as the country grapples with the problem of how to better protect women.
The policy is part of the Communist Party’s attempts to own the public debate on gender issues, which analysts said were seen by the authorities as a potential threat to social stability.
The “Special Action Implementation Plan” adopted early this year in Jiuquan, a city in the northwestern province of Gansu, requires the local anti-corruption watchdog to keep track of party members’ records of domestic violence or instances where they have violated the rights of women and children.
These factors will then be taken into account when appointing or promoting officials.
The plan adopted early this year also calls on local government departments to work with the police, women’s federations and other bodies to investigate marriage and family disputes, domestic violence and trafficking in women and children.
