Engaging fathers vital for gender equality, says UN official

China introduced a policy allowing couples to have three children on July 20 two years ago, but it seems there is still a long way to go to enable women and couples to exert their reproductive rights and make meaningful choices.

Justine Coulson, United Nations Population Fund Representative to China, told China Daily recently that global experience shows gender equality can influence women's decisions regarding family size.

Globally, women are responsible for over 70 percent of unpaid care work. As working mothers, women lose earnings and career progression. Coulson said that, in contrast, when men take on a more equal share of unpaid domestic work and childcare, women are more likely to consider having children.

Family support policies should encourage more engagement from fathers, Coulson said.