Chinese scholars are compiling the country's first textbook devoted to literature written by women.

 

The textbook will be used in universities across the country and will introduce women's literary works from China and abroad.

 

It will feature works by ancient and modern Chinese women as well as studies by male researchers on literature through a feminine perspective, according to Professor Liu Siqian from Henan University, who is a member of the compiling committee.

 

But exact details about the content are not yet available as some chapters are still undecided.

 

"This literature course will enable women's voices to be heard in a society which legally grants women equal rights with men but still finds it hard to forget its tradition of gender discrimination," said Professor Lin Danya, from Xiamen University, one of the chief compilers.

 

Lin said that further studies of feminine literature would emphasize women's special qualities and contribute to "building a harmonious society".

 

Analysts said the textbook, due to be published next July, signals the entrance of women's literature into the mainstream of social sciences in China.

 

"The literature course can provide us with a window to examine the world through a totally different perspective from the male one," said Liu Mei, a postgraduate of Chinese literature in Xiamen University.

 

"It is essential for a society seeking gender equality," she said.

 

Although women are seen as "holding up half the sky", Chinese society is still subconsciously putting men before women and valuing appearance above talent, Lin said.

 

During the May Fourth Movement in 1919, which is seen as the starting point of modern China, female writers called for emancipation from traditional Confucianism through their depiction of love and marriage.

 

Since the 1980s, female literary works have mainly covered the themes of women's relationships with society and feminist values.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)