“When I want to play basketball after school, adults are also playing, and I can never get a turn. We want our own basketball court.” On July 31, fifth-grade student Wang Shaofan from Sanjianxi Village shared this wish with Gao Shuzhen, the village Party secretary, during a Children’s Friendly Round Table Meeting. Committed to prioritizing children’s voices, Zhangqiu District has implemented a three-tiered participatory system at the district, street, and community levels. This year, the Women’s Federation organized eight sessions of the “Children’s Round Table Meeting” over the summer, collecting over 130 suggestions on improving educational facilities and preserving cultural heritage, ensuring that children’s voices are truly heard and respected.

Focusing on the “Child-Friendly Rural Aesthetic Education Action,” the district aims to develop Sanjianxi Village as a provincial-level child-friendly pilot unit this year. At the round table meeting, Secretary Gao and 18 young participants engaged in spirited discussions on “How can I contribute to my village’s development?” Children shared their insights from a “one-meter perspective,” generating over 20 “small suggestions.” Secretary Gao attentively listened, expressing that the children’s ideas inspired her greatly and she would implement their suggestions to enhance their community’s beauty.

On August 14, Grandma Gao sought Wang’s opinion on “what style of basketball hoop is most suitable for children,” making him feel valued. By August 26, the children’s dedicated basketball court in Sanjianxi Village was completed, prompting joyful celebrations among the children. Wang remarked, “Through these meetings, we learned to express our ideas more effectively and communicate with adults. We realized we are no longer naive; we now have responsibilities.”

A similar positive development occurred in Xiangongzhuang, where children proposed creating a reading corner. Within days, a beautifully designed space was established, allowing young readers to study peacefully after school.

The Women’s Federation of Zhangqi District aligns with the “14th Five-Year Plan” for children’s development, innovating a “124” work strategy that promotes the establishment of a child-friendly city: maintaining a primary focus on child-friendly rural aesthetic education, considering urban and rural aspects, enhancing top-level design, improving service capabilities, emphasizing children’s practice, and effectively ensuring child care while highlighting local characteristics to foster comprehensive child development.

The child-friendly concept has resonated deeply within the community. By mobilizing social resources and stimulating market activity, 19 practice bases for child-friendly schools, hospitals, and communities have been established, fostering a collaborative work environment led by the Party and government. Utilizing media platforms like “Zhangqi Women,” the promotion of children’s priority concepts has led to over 220 communications and the design of a child-friendly city logo.

The environment for child development is steadily improving. In collaboration with the local procuratorate, the district issued guidelines to establish a supportive prosecution coordination mechanism, creating a workspace to facilitate timely resolutions of petitions and ensuring strong protections for minors’ rights. Strengthening family education and values, a “136” framework for family education was developed, conducting over 20 training sessions focused on fostering patriotism, dedication, integrity, filial piety, and frugality in families. The Women’s and Children’s Activity Center plays a significant role in family education, regularly offering public classes for exceptional parents to cultivate a harmonious family environment for children’s healthy growth.

Children’s practical activities shine brightly. A “Little Family Tradition Propagation Team,” composed of 42 children, organized public speaking competitions during Children’s Day and summer break, alongside regular community storytelling and classic recitation events, promoting family harmony and good values. Thirty “Outstanding Little Leaders” participated in rural revitalization efforts, visiting exemplary households to learn about beautiful courtyards and family values. A young journalists’ media team and a “Youth Volunteer” team conducted 46 various activities, providing numerous developmental opportunities for children. They mapped out five routes highlighting digital experiences and agricultural culture, hosting over 30 study tours in child-friendly rural settings. Emphasizing hands-on experiences, 20 “Children’s Nature Corners” were established in key agricultural areas, equipped with over 300 small farming tools for children to engage with nature.

Ensuring children’s care and support is paramount. An “Alliance of Caring Mothers” was formed, establishing 11 “Caring Mother” stations to monitor children’s well-being. Online, through the “Zhangqiu Smart Women’s Federation” platform, federation members provide support and showcase children’s information. Offline, grassroots federation members conduct monthly visits to understand children’s circumstances, ensuring their healthy growth. By integrating resources from women entrepreneurs and other sectors, “Helping Children Shine” activities are organized during winter and summer vacations to inspire children to thrive positively.