Conference on demographic change and its underlying reasons

The China Women´s University – under the umbrella of the All-China Women´s Federation - and the FES Beijing office jointly hosted a webinar on demographic change, its underlying reasons and potential incentive schemes.

Experts and students from the Chinese women´s university as well as from different departments of the All-China women´s federation discussedgender equality, the ageing population, demographic change and the respective adjustments of politics, the economy and society with the following German/international experts:

Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former minister of justice;

Prof. Ute Klammer, University Duisburg-Essen;

Dr. Christa Wichterich, University of Wien;

Prof. Dr. Christina Holtz-Bacha, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität;

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Scheele-Baer, University of Bielefeld

as well as Rubén Vicente Andrés, ILO office China.

Prof. Däubler hold the view that legal equality between men and women has already come a long way. However, the biggest challenges arise after starting a family. For example, a woman will only fulfill her desire to have children if she comes to the conclusion that this is not associated with too many social and economic disadvantages. An integrative approach like in Scandinavian countries and corresponding provisions in labor laws are needed. Companies must be encouraged to adopt a family-friendly corporate policy. However, it is crucial that more family-friendly labor law and company regulations apply not only to women, but also to men, stressed Prof. Däubler-Gmelin.

Prof. Däubler-Gmelin addressed these points also a day later in a meeting with Ms. Lin Yi, Vice-chairperson of the All-China women federation.