China is strengthening the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS among women, according to a white paper titled Gender Equality and Women's Development in China, issued by the Information Office of China's State Council on Wednesday.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health said that Chinese female HIV carriers have been increasing rapidly, from 19.4 percent of the total infected in 2000 to 28.1 percent by March of 2005.

Faced with the trend of more and more women being infected with HIV/AIDS, the state considers the prevention of the spread of AIDS from mother to baby an important part of the healthcare work for women and children, the white paper says.

In order to find an intervention mode and experience suited to China's conditions, a team made up of specialists has been set up to do pilot work regarding the prevention of AIDS, stemming the spread of AIDS from mother to baby free of charge, showing special concern for pregnant women tested HIV positive and their babies.

Relevant government departments have launched campaigns to educate the public about the prevention and treatment of AIDS, and provide relevant services, promote the use of condoms, and get more men involved in AIDS prevention so as to reduce the number of women infected. On World AIDS Day in 2004, activities were launched throughout China under the theme "Show Concern for Women, Say No to AIDS."

Meanwhile, China also encourages NGOs and private institutions to launch various activities to promote women's healthcare and widely carry out international cooperation activities, it says.

One of the many programs launched by the All-China Women's Federation is known as "Health Express for Mother," in which face-to-face publicity and educational activities under the theme "Stay away from AIDS to Benefit the Whole Family" were organized in 51 areas for the prevention and treatment of AIDS in a comprehensive way.

In addition, the Family Planning Association of China has launched programs in which children and young people teach each other knowledge about the prevention of venereal diseases and AIDS in universities and middle schools, and among migrant teenagers.

The Chinese government actively engages in international cooperation as well, says the paper. International cooperation has been conducted with many international organizations, including the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Development Fund for Women, World Bank, World Health Organization, and Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, in the fields of hygiene for women and children, reproductive health, family planning, and the prevention and treatment of AIDS. .

Source: Xinhua