When Cai Xiuti, 45, was appointed head of a factory by Shuiyan Neighborhood Committee in Bao'an District in 1994, her family members told her to turn down the job.

 

"My relatives hoped I could stay at home, but I thought the young people should work. So I accepted the job. I had a hard time taking care of the factory while looking after my child, but I'm rewarded. I've been on the position for 12 years and become an experienced manager. I feel happy and proud of myself," said Cai.

 

In Cai's neighborhood, women hold up more than half the sky. Some 48 of the 60 factories in the neighborhood are led by local women, who could have instead enjoyed comfortable lives with incomes from rental apartments.

 

In Shenzhen, women are holding more important positions, both in government organizations and companies. The Futian District Government, for example, doubled its number of female department heads since 2002 to 78, said Zhong Lin, chairperson of the Futian District Women's Federation. Women hold over 50 percent of the positions in government-funded organizations, said Zhong.

 

Citywide, women hold leadership positions at the municipal government as well as every district government, according to the municipal women's federation.

 

Some 43 percent of the city's bureaus have either a female chief or vice chief and some 37 percent of the sub-bureaus have a female chief or vice chief. Female legislators increased by 2.7 percent last year, according to the municipal women's federation.

 

(Shenzhen Daily June 1, 2006)