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Reproductive rights tested in court case

After almost two years, an unmarried woman suing for the right to freeze her eggs in Beijing is getting her case heard in court, in a rare legal challenge against China’s restrictions on unmarried women in reproductive health.

Teresa Xu had been waiting since December 2019 for her second hearing at the Chaoyang People’s Court in Beijing.

She is suing Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital at Capital Medical University, a public hospital that banned her from freezing her eggs, citing national law.

Victory for Xu could mark an important step for unmarried women in China who want to access public benefits.

Her case is being heard after new census data showed that China’s population growth is slowing, while the proportion of elderly people is growing. The number of births has fallen every year since 2016.

China allows only married couples to access reproductive services and related benefits.

‘‘I hope that [the lawsuit] will allow single women the opportunity to be able to make their own choice,’’ Xu said.

World

en-nz

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/283034057711695

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