Lawmakers in south China's Guangdong Province are deliberating a
draft law on domestic violence and sexual harassment against women
in an attempt to better protect their rights.
The draft law, which has been submitted to the 32nd meeting of
the 10th session of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial
People's Congress for approval, stipulates that domestic violence
against women can also include mental torture.
According to Zhang Lijie, a deputy to the Guangdong Provincial
People's Congress, about 46 percent of women in the province's
families are victims of domestic violence.
"Most of them have suffered from some form of physical abuse.
But we have also come to realize that some are seriously affected
by mental torture by their husbands," Zhang said.
Xu Yuxiang, a local lawyer, described the draft law as "a big
step" toward protection of women's rights.
"If passed, the law will be the first of its kind to term mental
abuse as domestic violence against women. This will ensure better
protection for women," he said.
Domestic violence was included as an amendment to the national
law on the protection of women's rights, which was passed early in
2005.
However, it does not include mental torture, Xu said.
The draft law also calls for the establishment of more temporary
shelters for women, defines sexual harassment and the right to sue,
outlaws sexually suggestive language or pictures in e-mails or
cellphone text messages, and inappropriate physical action toward
women, such as body searches at public places.
In addition, it bans employers from discriminating against women
in job recruitment, barring them from getting married or getting
pregnant.
"The clear definition of domestic violence and sexual harassment
in the draft law is a welcome attempt to supplement the national
law, helping better enhance the effect of laws and other
regulations on protection of women's rights," Xu said.
If passed, it will force work units to set up necessary
complaint channels for women.
Shanghai passed a law defining sexual harassment against women
early last month. It says physical contact, verbal abuse, written
language, pictures, or electronically transmitted information
against women could be considered sexual harassment.
Several laws have also been passed in the provinces of Jiangxi,
Shaanxi and Anhui, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, allowing
victims to complain or sue offenders.
(China Daily May 30, 2007)