Shanghai has unveiled a comprehensive plan through 2030 to maintain a nationally and globally advanced level of women's and children's welfare, officials said on Wednesday.
"Advancing the well-being of women and children is a core measure of Shanghai's people-centered urban growth," said Zhang Hua, chair of the Shanghai Women's Federation.
"It is fully integrated into every stage of our economic and social planning."
The plan, spanning the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), focuses on the three pillars of women's development, children's development and family building, with the latter featured as a stand-alone priority for the first time.
The new blueprint builds on strong gains recorded between 2021 and 2025. During that period, women accounted for 44.1 percent of urban employment, achieving some of the highest levels of civic and community representation in the nation.
Meanwhile, local healthcare metrics reached top-tier international benchmarks, with maternal and infant mortality rates remaining at world-class lows. School enrollment for both preschool and high school consistently exceeded 99 percent.
The plan outlines five priority areas in terms of women's development: ensuring political and social participation rights, creating favorable employment environments, enhancing scientific and cultural literacy, safeguarding health across all life stages and strengthening legal protections.
Officials in Shanghai have plans to implement programs supporting women in science and technology, establish gender-responsive business practices, and expand support organizations for women in emerging employment sectors, particularly those working in new digital economy roles.
"We will host high-level international exchange activities to enhance Shanghai women's international participation and influence," Zhang added.
Shanghai is China's first municipality to comprehensively promote child-friendly urban development. From 2023 to 2025, the city worked with nine pilot districts and 100 demonstration sites, while over the next three years, Shanghai will add or renovate 100 outdoor children's play spaces and create 40 child-friendly parks.
Healthcare initiatives will target children's weight management, vision protection, mental health, bone development and oral health. The city will also expand access to professional mental healthcare to support children and adolescents.
"Currently, 735 health professionals serve as vice-principals across 1,159 childcare institutions and schools, with monitoring showing declining rates of student nearsightedness and obesity, plus improved mental health scores," said Di Jianzhong, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai People's Procuratorate reports that juvenile crime rates have dropped 81.6 percent from historical peaks through prevention and protection measures.
Responding to evolving population trends and family structures, Shanghai is building a convenient family education service network accessible within a 15-minute walk or commute. Since 2024, the city has established 243 "family+bookstores" in bookshops, libraries, youth centers and cultural spaces.
Some districts are piloting evening parent education programs offered during off-work hours, while others partner with nearby universities to develop parenting courses and train community volunteers. The post of family education instructor has also been included in China's occupational directory.
"We need to better integrate resources so more parents can get timely help when needed and feel supported by this city while raising their children," Zhang said.
The city has also upgraded marriage registration services across 14 districts, with centers now located in parks, landmarks and historic buildings.
Between May 10 last year and May 10 this year, Shanghai processed 177,431 marriage registrations, up 23.41 percent on the previous year. By 2030, the city plans to create 100 outdoor marriage registration ceremony sites.
