A DRAFT law on the building of a barrier-free environment, the first of its kind in China, was tabled before lawmakers for the first deliberation Thursday.

The draft law, which is being deliberated at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), specifies the beneficiaries as “members of society in need of barrier-free environments.”

It aims to deliver more benefits to all members of society on the basis of protecting the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly to an accessible environment.

The draft stipulates higher requirements for the construction and renovation of accessible facilities, and calls on local governments to roll out and ensure the implementation of plans to renovate existing facilities that fail to meet the mandatory accessibility standards.

While providing public information or releasing information on emergencies, government departments must ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, according to the draft law.

In the proposed legislation, it is also stipulated that state organs, as well as public service places run by organizations tasked with managing public affairs in accordance with the law, must remove barriers for those with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Chinese lawmakers are mulling a draft law revision to improve safeguarding the rights and interests of women, especially disadvantaged groups such as impoverished, older, and disabled women.

The draft revision to the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women was submitted Thursday to the NPC’s Standing Committee for a third reading.

Governments at all levels and relevant departments should enhance support for women in daily life, finding jobs, and starting businesses, according to the draft.

Abducting of, trafficking in, or kidnapping women is prohibited; buying women who are abducted, trafficked in, or kidnapped is prohibited; obstructing the rescue of women who are abducted, trafficked in, or kidnapped is prohibited, according to the draft.

It also highlights that authorities, including governments, police, as well as villagers and residents committees, shall report these crimes immediately. Measures shall be taken to rescue women who have been abducted or trafficked. The rescued women shall be well-settled and given help and care.

(Xinhua)