Jinhua in Zhejiang province has made significant strides in creating a more child-friendly environment over the past few years.
Local authorities have concentrated their efforts in six key areas, including social policy, public services, rights protection, growth space, development environment, and industrial ecology.
Adhering to the principles of "Children First, Child Equality, and Child Participation," Jinhua has integrated the "Child-Friendly City" initiative into its 2022 and 2023 two sessions reports.
Notably, a total of 62 supporting policies have been introduced, including a child-friendly city construction plan, an implementation plan, and a three-year action plan (2023-25). Furthermore, five childcare initiatives have been included in the 10 wellbeing projects for Jinhua citizens in 2024.
In a significant allocation of resources, authorities have focused on adapting 10 schools and villages to better accommodate children. Currently, an investment of 11.24 billion yuan ($1.56 billion) has been directed towards advancing the construction and implementation of 81 major projects and 186 pilot units.
Additionally, over 200 child-friendly observation teams have been established, and a hotline for women and children has been set up to listen to children's voices and encourage their participation.
Jinhua has also made strides in enhancing after-school care services, with 100 percent of compulsory education schools offering such services. The city has also improved child-friendly facilities, including mother and baby rooms, and children's handwashing sinks in public venues and scenic areas, while creating over 10 child-friendly parks.
Furthermore, efforts have been made to foster a conducive learning atmosphere for minors, facilitating their holistic development, encompassing morality, intelligence, physical health, and aesthetics. As a result, the city's primary and secondary school students' compliance with the national student physical health standards has reached an impressive rate of 66.96 percent.
