China Canada Cooperation Project in Cleaner Production

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Gender Equality Activities - March to September 2001

1. Women and Environment Network Events

2. Gender Equality Orientation at the Wumin Brewery

3. OXFAM Gender and Development Workshop

4. Gender Awareness Training in Canada

5. Gender Equality Results

1. Women and Environment Network (WEN) Events

The Project's Women and Environment Network (WEN) organized a discussion session on Women and Cleaner Production on April 8 at the Environment Protection Research Institute. There were seventeen participants with two men and eight newcomers. Prof. Wu and Mr. Zhao Penggao introduced the session. Two WEN members presented a book they had just written, "Control of Air Pollution", on indoor air quality related to interior decorating and new furniture. The new law on Cleaner Production and green consumption were discussed and strong interest was expressed in more activities of this kind.

In June, WEN organized an assembly at Shuang Yu Shu No 1 Primary School in Haidian District of Beijing to spread information on environmental protection. Dr. Lao, Ms. Li Zhuodan and Ms. Song Qinghua, the Director of the Environmental and Cultural Center of the Global Village of Beijing, spoke about the importance of sustainable development and environmental protection. Ms. Song used some simple and vivid examples to tell children about the issue of lack of water and encouraged children to make environmental protection part of their lives. Prof. Wu Qing encouraged children to save paper, water, electricity and other resources. Posters and CDs about environmental protection were given to representatives of the children.

The students pledged to do the following:

• Save resources. Refuse to use, or use less, disposable items like lunch boxes, chopsticks, etc. Avoid wasting paper.

• Save energy. Avoid wasting water and electricity. Turn off lights and water taps when not in use.

• Use batteries and detergent that will not pollute the environment.

• Have a strong sense of environmental protection. Actively participate in planting trees, flowers and grass as well as protecting them.

• Advocate the separation of garbage.

This event was given front-page coverage in two newspapers: the China Environment News (June 13, 2001) and China Chemical Industry News (June16, 2001). See Women and Environment Network website: http://sdep.cei.gov.cn/envir_sub/index/ja.asp 

2. Gender Equality Orientation at the Wumin Brewery

Prof. Wu visited the Wumin Brewery from July 18 - 22 to introduce gender equality at the Project's new demonstration site. She found that women make up 45% of the employees and 33% of technical personnel, but only 6% of mid-level managers and none among top managers. Prof. Wu held two gender workshops and made a presentation to the Zuoquan and local Women's Federations, different local government Bureaus, as well as many discussions with brewery employees.

Some suggestions for improving working conditions (lights, benches and mirrors in locker rooms) were immediately implemented. There was much interest in the gender concepts and issues presented and the Director of the Female Workers' Committee wrote a summary of the problems and issues she was rethinking as a result of the discussions. (see Gender Equality Annex)

3. OXFAM Gender and Development Workshop

The Second Annual Meeting of "Gender and Development in China" was held from August 1-4 in Beijing, supported by OXFAM, Hong Kong. Over fifty participants came from over ten provinces and cities. Mr. Shun Yongjiang, member of GEWG, Fuyang General Chemicals, was invited to come and share their experiences with the participants. Ms. Liang Boping, WEN member, and Prof. Wu also attended the meeting, which provided a valuable opportunity to discuss issues, share experience and develop useful contacts.

Ms. Liang reported that: "The advocacy of gender in China will be a long and strenuous task. The most important thing is to lobby and influence the decision-makers at different levels. Once they understand what gender means, they will incorporate it into all the policies and programs. Women will benefit from them. The next thing to do is to publicize gender. Let women and men know the relationship between gender equality, social progress and sustainable development. I know it is a difficult task, but I want to take it, fighting shoulder to shoulder with all the sisters."

4. Gender Awareness Training in Canada

A half-day Gender Awareness training session was given to 11 male and 2 female officials on July 27 in Ottawa as part of the Policy Study Tour. There was a great deal of interest in diversity and gender issues, which were actively debated, in relation to participants' organizations. The session is expected to result in participants' greater awareness of gender issues when they return to their organizations.

5. GENDER EQUALITY RESULTS

See also 

• Project Gender Equality Strategy

• GE at Wumin Brewery - Report Annex

• Women and Environment Network - http://sdep.cei.gov.cn/envir_sub/index/ja.asp -- Chinese site details work of women to support and promote Cleaner Production activities in China. Mostly in Chinese.

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