The Wuhan Metropolitan Coordinating Region (MCR) Female Science and Technology Worker Alliance is established on May 27 in OVC. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The Wuhan Metropolitan Coordinating Region (MCR) Female Science and Technology Worker Alliance was founded in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) on May 27, in celebration of the sixth annual National Science and Technology Workers' Day on May 30.

Wuhan Metropolitan Coordinating Region (also known as Wuhan Metropolitan Area) is a core region for Hubei's economic development, consisting of Wuhan and its surrounding cities – Huangshi, Ezhou, Xiaogan, Huanggang, Xianning, Xiantao, Tianmen and Qianjiang.

An Siqi, representative of the UN Women China, delivered a keynote speech via video link. The event was also addressed by Deng Changqing, president of the Hubei Provincial Women's Federation, and Liu Jie, secretary of OVC's working committee.

Women have been responsible for half of the valley's innovative development over the past 30 years. About 20 percent of the alliance members are based in OVC, the majority of whom are CEOs, presidents, or general managers from enterprises in sci-tech services, healthcare, finance, biology and other fields.

More than 100 female sci-tech workers from high-tech enterprises, research institutions, and universities in Wuhan, Huangshi, Ezhou, Huanggang, Xiaogan, Xianning, Xiantao, Tianmen and Qianjiang have become members of the alliance.

An applet called "Jinguo Kechuang" also debuted on the same day, providing services to female sci-tech workers in entrepreneurship consultation, parenting and household management.

In addition, the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development launched a 50-million-yuan ($7.45 million) special fund for female scientists and researchers, and pledged to give them free access to the institute's international conference hall, auditorium, and other spaces.

A group of sci-tech projects undertaken by female researchers were also commercialized at the event.