He Xingren, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairwoman of the Zhejiang Provincial Women’s Federation

Currently, Zhejiang is experiencing momentum to promote and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China’s third plenary session. Women’s federations at all levels are aligning closely with the reform goals and key tasks outlined in the plenary session. By exploring innovative work pathways, expanding the “circle of friends,” enhancing the “service circle,” and improving the “ecological circle,” we are committed to providing tangible and measurable support services, such as the “Caring Mothers” initiative, actively advancing reforms that equitably benefit women, children, and families.

Expanding the Network of “Caring Mothers”

Strategic planning precedes action. The Zhejiang Provincial Women’s Federation leverages its unique network to actively broaden its “circle of caring partners,” working collaboratively to strengthen the support service system.

First, establishing a comprehensive framework for “Care and Support.” The Provincial Women’s Federation, in partnership with nine governmental departments, has launched a three-year “Caring Mothers” support initiative to build a regular, efficient, and sustainable collaborative care system. This initiative fosters a service model that combines Party committee leadership, interdepartmental coordination, social participation, and family responsibility. To date, 28,184 “Caring Mothers” have been recruited across the province, paired with 27,081 left-behind or disadvantaged children. In the first half of the year, 46,800 visits were conducted to migrant, left-behind, and vulnerable children, with services provided to 425,100 parents and children.

Second, mobilizing the “Caring Mothers” network. Efforts have been made to integrate the “Caring Mothers” pairing and support activities into government institutions, state-owned enterprises, and emerging sectors. The “Three Leads, One Mobilization” model has been implemented, where government and corporate Party members and officials, executive committee members of Women’s Federations, March 8th Red-Banner Holders, Women’s Pacesetters for Excellence, and model families take the lead, encouraging participation from philanthropic enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and socially minded individuals. This approach aims to recruit “Caring Mothers” broadly across sectors to continually extend the reach of care services.

Third, enhancing the “Seedling Protection and Talent Cultivation” brand in Zhejiang. Focusing on key areas such as children’s ideological development, safety protection, skills enhancement, and support for disadvantaged children, the “Caring for Children in Zhejiang” program has organized activities during winter and summer breaks. These activities, developed in collaboration with the Culture and Tourism Bureau, the Science Association, museums, and libraries, include educational lectures, community childcare, research-based summer camps, and learning trips led by “Caring Mothers.” Various levels of the Women’s Federation have innovated these efforts, resulting in the emergence of diverse and impactful “Caring Mothers” service brands in Zhejiang, such as “Yuehao Family: Caring Mothers,” “Sanqu Mothers,” and “Mulan Mothers.”

Enhancing the Support Network for Care Services

Adhering to the principles of precise identification and dynamic management, efforts are being made to standardize, regularize, and tailor care services to meet specific needs effectively.

First, tailoring services to provide personalized care. With the aim of “caring for one child, supporting one family, and positively impacting the wider community,” a comprehensive and precise service system for pairing “Caring Mothers” with those in need has been developed. The Provincial Women’s Federation, in collaboration with the Provincial Direct Organs Work Committee, initiated the “Children’s Day Caring Mothers Dream Fulfillment” program, implementing the “Six Ones” services, which include fulfilling small wishes, providing care packages, and offering empowerment classes, thereby delivering the Party’s and government’s care to children.

Second, standardizing processes to ensure effective service delivery. A structured approach involving “project-based management, accountability-driven progress, and checklist-based implementation” is used to reinforce responsibilities. In partnership with civil affairs departments, an archive system has been established for left-behind and disadvantaged children, ensuring each child has an individual file and each village maintains a comprehensive record. Three specific checklists have been created to facilitate services: one for pairing volunteers with children, another for identifying needs, and a third for tracking support activities. The recruitment process for “Caring Mothers” follows standardized procedures with rigorous selection and screening.

Third, providing consistent care services that foster meaningful connections. Through “one-on-one” and “many-to-one” care models, regular home visits and community-building activities are conducted, ensuring that once a child in need is identified, they are promptly included in the support system, paired with a caregiver, and provided with the necessary support. Utilizing platforms such as “Caring Mothers Workstations,” women and children’s centers, “Children’s Homes,” and parent education schools, diverse group activities are organized, including practical experiences, reading and study sessions, and cultural and sports programs, fostering collective companionship and care.

Building a Diverse “Ecosystem” for Public Welfare

By expanding service resources, nurturing social organizations, and encouraging active participation from societal forces, we aim to optimize the ecosystem of public welfare volunteer services and establish a shared, interconnected platform for “Caring Mothers” to engage in volunteer work.

First, linking public welfare project resources. Through the Provincial Women’s and Children’s Foundation, initiatives like the “Renewed Paradise,” “Dream Fulfillment and Educational Assistance,” and “Towards the Sun” protection plans are being implemented to provide high-quality support for education and development, including “hardship subsidies + growth guidance” services. In the first half of the year, over 67 million yuan was raised, providing support to 56,000 women and children facing difficulties. Efforts have also been made to secure backing from the China Women’s Development Foundation, promoting the implementation of the “Love Warms Thousands of Families” charity project in Chun’an and Yongjia Counties. Jiaxing City has launched the “Nanhu Mothers Four Seasons Companionship” and “Qinglan Study Room Renewal” projects, while Taizhou City’s “Women’s Love” Mulan Mothers Charity Fund raised 8.57 million yuan.

Second, fostering professional social organizations. By leveraging public welfare venture capital, government-purchased services, and other channels, specialized social work agencies, non-profits, and volunteer groups focusing on child services have been developed to provide professional care services. Efforts are being made to streamline the connection between service supply and demand, leading to the establishment of public welfare organizations like the “Caring Mothers Fellowship,” “Child Care Public Welfare Alliance,” and “Mulan Mothers Protection Alliance,” which aim to deliver “Caring Mothers” services efficiently and directly to those in need.

Third, emphasizing diverse publicity and outreach. Utilizing mainstream media channels and the “Women’s Media Matrix,” best practices and successful models of care pairing are promoted and shared widely. Campaigns have been conducted to highlight the achievements of exemplary “Caring Mothers,” telling the inspiring stories of Zhejiang’s “Caring Mothers” and advocating for the care and protection of children, thereby fostering a society-wide environment that prioritizes children’s well-being.

Moving forward, the Zhejiang Provincial Women’s Federation will deepen and advance the three-year “Caring Mothers” pairing and support initiative, focusing on expanding its reach, empowering participants, and strengthening foundational services. Efforts will be made to ensure the standardized development and sustainable implementation of caring support programs.