Examining the Role of Chinese Women in Society

The women of China have come a long way in their fight for a more equal standing in society. Since the People’s Republic was founded in 1949, the lives of Chinese women have seen a dramatic shift in terms of their education, rights and opportunity. Even with these changes, women in China still face various challenges as they strive to reach equality in their everyday lives.

With the rise of the Communist Party, women were said to now “hold up half the sky.” In the Maoist period, Chinese women were able to break out of the traditional roles of housewives, becoming the new generation of workers who built China into the formidable nation it is today. According to official data from the Chinese government, women now make up 44% of China's labor force which is even higher than the United States (43.5%).

When looking at wages, however, women continue to be paid less than men for the same job. Also, traditional stereotypes of women as primary caregivers of their families still exist, resulting in less opportunities for leadership roles in the workplace. With gender discrimination still persistent in many workplaces, Chinese women are often left with no choice but to seek out employment in traditionally “female-oriented” fields such as the service industry.
Andre Benz @ Unsplash

Despite the challenges they face, Chinese women have made significant contributions in various fields of work. From tech startups to research and development to businesses, women in China are increasingly becoming leaders and innovators in their respective industries. There are also a number of initiatives that have been put in place to provide greater opportunities for women, such as the “30,000 Women Program” which aimed to increase the number of tech driven female entrepreneurs in China.
Redd F @ Unsplash

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see the continued changes in the lives of Chinese women as they strive to reach greater heights of professional and personal success. With Chinese women leading the charge, the possibilities are endless and the future of the nation looks brighter than ever.