The rights of women and children in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are fully protected, according to a native Xinjiang scholar, who spoke with China News Services to debunk allegations of human rights abuses in the region.
In a recent interview, Zuliyati Simayi, vice president and dean of the School of Marxism of Xinjiang University, said that protecting the rights of women and children is integrated into every aspect of Xinjiang's economic and social development.
Women of ethnic groups in Xinjiang are enjoying a greater sense of achievement, happiness, and security, as they have enjoyed improved economic status, health conditions, and education levels, said Simayi.
According to a survey of 5,617 people her team has conducted in 2021, nearly 98.9% of the women respondents said they enjoy at least a free medical check once a year. They are also being assisted in finding a job or starting a business.
Children of all ethnic groups in the region now enjoy equal access to basic public services, better public welfare, and a friendly family and social environment, Simayi said. She said that the rights in health, security, education, the environment, and legal protection for children of all ethnic groups in the region are fully guaranteed.
In terms of educational equity, Xinjiang has been promoting a more balanced compulsory education among different areas and groups and between urban and rural areas through expanding the supply of educational resources.
In 2021, Xinjiang's gross enrollment rate in three-year pre-school education grew to 98.19%, the retention rate of nine-year compulsory education reached 95.69%, and the gross enrollment ratio for senior secondary education climbed to 98.87%.
"Through my field inspections in both southern and northern parts of Xinjiang, I can feel the people's passion for life, satisfaction with their current living conditions, and aspirations for an even better future," Simayi said.
This January, the region issued two plans to promote the high-quality development of women and children through 180 welfare measures spanning 15 fields, aiming to promote the coordinated development of women and children from urban and rural regions and of different areas and groups, and protect the rights and interests of women and children with special difficulties.
Simayi lauded the formulation of the plans, saying that both documents provided institutional guarantee for the development of women and children in Xinjiang.
