As Li Xing mentioned in her column "Justice should begin in our own backyard" (China Daily, January 18, 2007), female farmers like Li Chengying can cite some laws to protect their legal rights and interests. I want to say something to help them.

If the land is contracted, I suggest they cite the Law of Rural Land Contract to protect them. The law is really workable and available in detailed articles with specifics. Firstly, they should negotiate with the self-governance committee of their villages. If that fails, they should turn to the Rural Land Contract Arbitration Institution or to the local people's court directly, by citing the Law of Rural Land Contract and the Interpretation of Applicable Law on Rural Land Contract Dispute Cases by the Supreme People's Court. Or they can solve their problem with letters and visits based on the Regulations on Letters and Visits.

They can also turn to their local Women's Federation, and usually the Women's Federation can solve the problem more appropriately through harmonious coordination.

Finally, I hope these women can get back their legal rights and interests, and I do hope more and more women can realize that their rights and interests are equal to men's, and they need to protect themselves through legal approaches!

Genie Lee

Via e-mail

(China Daily 01/23/2007 page11)