Wang Lili, a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Electronic Science and Engineering of Jilin University, is one of the candidates for the 2018 Future Women Scientists Program of UNESCO. [Photo/Jilin news network]
Northeast China's Jilin province has rolled out a series of measures to support female talent, so they can play an ever greater role in science and technological innovation, according to local media reports.
The initiative was launched by local departments and bodies including the Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology, the Jilin Provincial Women's Federation and the Jilin Provincial Department of Education.
The measures include items such as relaxing age restrictions for women applying for sci-tech projects. They also include recommending female talent for international sci-tech projects, raising their retirement age and allowing them to have deadline delays during pregnancies and nursing periods.
Eligible female professional and technical personnel in public institutions in the province can voluntarily choose to retire at the age of 55 or 60.
Gender equality has also been emphasized in the measures, which specify a ratio of no less than 30 percent of female experts in sci-tech awards judging panels and talent projects.
Local universities are also being encouraged to make more efforts to advance female sci-tech talent cultivation.
Jilin is reportedly encouraging its colleges and universities and sci-tech research institutes to facilitate the research work of female talent during pregnancy and breastfeeding, by implementing flexible working systems, and providing on-site childcare rooms and facilities.