Asia Centre’s Dr James Gomez, delivered several key lectures at a one week course on the Study of Gender and Women’s Rights in China in Shanghai from 3-7 July 2017. Organised by Fudan University’s National Base for Human Rights and Training the course drew some 20 students from within and outside the university.

The course is part of a range of activities within China organised by “National Bases” around the topic of human rights. Throughout China there are presently 8 National Bases for Human Rights and Training located within different universities which draws researchers from within its departments, faculties and schools.

The National Base for Human Rights and Training at Fudan University was founded by the Ministry of Education, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China, the State Council Information Office, and China Society for Human Rights Studies in 2014 in accordance with the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015).

Dr Gomez, presented two sessions during the course entitled, “Sexual and Reproductive
Health Rights” and “Gender Stereotypes and Stereotyping”. He covered key concepts and made references to examples in both in China and Southeast Asia. Additionally, Dr Gomez, also delivered a public lecture on the human rights trends in Southeast Asia at the Law Faculty, Fudan University.

Apart from gender and women’s rights, an emerging area of interest in China is business and human rights. Asia Centre is exploring opportunities to contribute towards China’s understanding of human rights in these and other areas by engaging with these “National Bases”.