Wealth, knowledge and looks are no
longer the only key factors that make a man in China. Because if a man
wants to win the hearts of women he has to respect them and believe in
gender equality
.
Perhaps for the first time in the country women will choose "China's
Top 10 Best Men of the Times" between December and April.
The exercise is aimed at promoting gender equality through men's
participation.
"Any Chinese man above the age of 18 who respects and cares about women
and is willing to shoulder family responsibilities equally can be part of
the competition," China Women's News editor-in-chief Lu Xiaofei said
yesterday. China Women's News is one of the nine women-centered papers
organizing the event.
"Also, he should have made efforts to promote gender equality and
should not have any record of domestic violence."
The competition evaluating a man's achievement by the way he treats
women is a creative way to achieve gender equity, a director of Woman's
Studies Institute of China, Xiao Yang, said. Gender inequality can't end
without men's participation.
In China, men hold most of the resources. Therefore, it is very crucial
to have men to be part of gender equality projects.
For instance, in rural areas, 80 to 90 percent women suffer from
genital infection. But despite efforts to treat them, the situation has
not improved.
Only by making more men aware of the importance of safe and hygienic
sex can the treatment be made to work, Xiao said.
The first selection will be held in eight cities, including Changsha,
Dalian and Taiyuan.
The final 30 candidates' profiles will be published on a website on
Women's Day on March 8. The winners will be declared in April.