Although women represent half of the world's population, many of them continue to be excluded from the decision-making process.

A number of tangible steps are needed to help promote women's participation in government and other decision-making, sociologists say.

A ratio of women decision makers in government departments needs to be established, according to Deng Weizhi, a professor of social science.

"Society has called for women's independence and their development, especially at the moment, as we celebrate International Women's Day," Deng says.

"However, without a concrete, supporting push for women's participation in government, any effort to promote gender equality and democracy will fall short."

The number of Chinese women participating in government is, at 21 percent, less than half of the Swedish rate, which is almost 50 percent, Deng notes.

"The participation rate has surged in recent years, but the average annual growth rate is only half a percent," says Deng. "That means it will take us at least five decades to get anywhere close to Sweden."

As China's society and economy have developed, well-educated women or those with special talents have been able to enjoy better career opportunities.

However, in making decisions the traditional role of women as their husbands' supporters still has a huge impact.

A recent survey covering over 40 scientific research institutions in Shanghai found that families and sexist attitudes restricted the commitment of women scientists and researchers to their careers.

Among 17,860 people employed by research institutions in Shanghai, 32.7 percent are women. However, only 15 percent of women are in top jobs. Among the 428 female scientists and researchers interviewed, only 42 had their own research projects.

Many women researchers choose to focus less on their careers and instead take care of their families, the survey shows. Many of their husbands are also scientists, whose careers are buoyed by such decisions.

Xiao Yanjun, former director of the Beijing Family Planning Committee, holds that social development cannot be judged solely by indicators such as gross domestic product growth and economic development.

"It is crucial to overall social development that women are well represented in decision-making processes at all levels," Xiao says.

"It is still the case in our society that women carry most of the domestic burden and have to combine various tasks. This makes them heavily underrepresented in both local government and on the boards of organizations and firms."

China has set goals to build a well-rounded, prosperous society by 2020. This also highlights improvement in the status of women.

A number of projects to increase female participation in decision-making and management at grassroots levels have been put into place in recent years. In Linqu County, east China's Shandong Province, for example, the local government has introduced innovative approaches to assist women leaders.

(China Daily March 8, 2004)