Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project is designed as a model for the sustainable development of poor rural areas by improving the access of women to adequate education and employment opportunities, health care and family planning. This project is based on Chapter 8 of China's Agenda 21 - Combatting Poverty - and will contribute to enhancing the participation of women in sustainable development, population growth control, provision of health care in rural areas, and sustainable agriculture and industry development (Chapters 7, 9, 10, 12, and 20).

1. Background

Two of the major constraints factors to sustainable development in China are poverty and population pressure, which can in turn be traced in to a large extent to the unequal status and lack of participation of women. Women in China, especially those in rural areas, are shouldering the double task of social production and child bearing, but do not have adequate or equal access to education, employment opportunities, health services, family planning services non adequate political participation and representation. This project seeks to address this situation on a model scale by enhancing the status of poor minority women in the southern island province of Hainan.

In Hainan, especially in the central mountain areas, natural resources are limited, agricultural productivity and income are low, and unsustainable slash and burn methods are leading to deforestation and ecosystem destruction. High birth rates are perpetuating the cycle of poverty, yet access to education, health and family planning services, and means to obtain more sustainable livelihoods are virtually nonexistent.

In 1990, China established the International Advisory Council on the Economic Development of Hainan in Harmony With the Natural Environment" After extensive investigation, this Council made a number of important recommendations now being implemented by the Hainan provincial government, including the development of sustainable agriculture practices and related industries. This project seeks to build on those recommendations, with an emphasis on enhancing the opportunities for women to participate in these developments, and to gain access to adequate education, health care and family planning services.

2. Objectives

• Long-term Objectives
  • To further the sustainable development of Hainan, alleviate poverty, limit population growth and enhance the status of minority women through a program of improved education, health and family planning services and the development of sustainable agricultural practices and related industries. Disseminate the results of this project throughout China as a model for the sustainable development of poor rural areas.

• Immediate Objectives
  • To develop a plan for the sustainable development and enhancement of women's status in five areas in the central mountain region of Hainan.
  • To strengthen the provision of health care in the Maoyang Region.
  • To establish an educational centre in Hongqi Town to provide professional training and employment opportunities for 20,000 women in the childbearing years.
  • To establish a family planning and health centre in the Guilinyang Region to provide family planning services and pre- and postnatal care to 100,000 women.
  • To establish a centre in the Lingshan Region for the development of sustainable food-based industries.

• 3.1 Develop a plan for the sustainable development and enhancement of women's status in five areas in the central mountain region of Hainan.
  • Develop a plan for the town of Maoyang in the city of Tongshi (a poor area inhabited by minority nationalities), the Hongqi Town in Qiongshan, Yunlong Town in the revolutionary area, the Lingshang Town and the developing region of Guilinyang.

• 3.2 Strengthen the provision of health care in the Maoyang region.
  • Establish a centre of health protection and disease prevention for women and children.
  • Establish a medical treatment centre.
  • Develop a centre for the prevention and monitoring of malaria.
  • Establish a centre for the monitoring and prevention of Mediterranean anaemia.

• 3.3 Establish an educational centre in Hongqi town to provide professional training and employment opportunities for 20,000 women in the childbearing years.
  • Establish a professional training centre for rural women in Hongqi.
  • Establish a comprehensive agriculture service centre to train women in sustainable agricultural practices and related industries.

• 3.4 Establish a family planning and health centre in the Guilinyang region to provide family planning services and pre- and postnatal care to 100,000 women.
  • Establish a family planning centre
  • Establish a medical centre for pre- and postnatal care.
  • Establish an educational centre for children.

• 3.5 Establish a centre in Lingshan region for the development of sustainable food-based industries.
  • Develop sustainable agriculture and food-based industries including livestock and wholesale markets, fodder processing factory, tropical fruit preservation plant, farming and side-line production.

  This project will be implemented by local government of Hainan Province, under the supervision of the State Science and Technology Commission and the State Planning Commission. The duration of this project will be two and half years.

5. Benefits

This action will not only benefit the women of Hainan by enhancing their access to adequate health, education and employment opportunities, but in turn will further the sustainable development of the region by alleviating poverty, limiting population growth, raising the general level of health, and providing opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. This project can serve as a model for sustainable development and enhancing the status of women in other poor rural areas of China.