The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo/IC]

The rights and living standards of women and children in the Xizang autonomous region have improved significantly over recent decades, regional authorities said at a news conference on Sept 5.

According to the regional women's federation, maternal and infant health indicators have reached record levels. Xizang now has more than 7,200 medical institutions, including 199 hospitals. The maternal mortality rate has dropped to 34.94 per 100,000, while infant mortality has fallen to 4.32 per thousand. Nearly all births, 99.34 percent, now take place in hospitals, data from the federation showed.

"The education level of women and children has been continuously improving; the proportions of female students in higher education, postgraduate education, and adult higher education have remained above 50 percent," Li Guoying, a senior official from the federation, said on Friday.

The federation reported that women's participation in public life has expanded, with women making up 48.5 percent of the cadre team in the region. Women also account for 40.2 percent of all employed people, and nearly 45 percent of senior professional and technical staff in public institutions.

Besides, their share in fields such as science, education, healthcare, culture, and modern agriculture continues to grow, Li said, adding that women's social and economic status has significantly improved, and they have contributed their power in major emergency tasks such as earthquake relief and epidemic prevention and control.