Saturday-Sunday, 19-20 February, 2000

Human Development

Report 1999

China's shift to a market economy has led to a sharp rise in unemployment among women over 35 years of age.

This age group represents the core labour force of state-owned industries and has therefore been most affected by the mechanisation of government enterprises.

UNDP China reports that these women are also least likely to find another job, because of their poor education, lack of marketable skills and vulnerability to discrimination. In an effort to address this growing problem, UNDP is supporting a project - "Re-employment and Venture Creation for Laid-off Women Workers" - in cooperation with the Chinese and Australian governments.

Project activities include strengthening of the re-employment services and training capacity of the local women's federation; development of a micro-credit fund; and the establishment of a business incubator. Gender sensitivity training has been provided to local government officials in an effort to promote gender equity.

This is the first urban poverty alleviation project to target women workers who have been laid-off. The hope is that it could be a model for replication by the government elsewhere in urban China. For further information:

For information on preparations for the Beijing+5 review

For the document that will serve as the basis for negotiations at the General Assembly Special Session to review progress since the Beijing Women's Conference (New York 5-9 June).