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Women in China Moving Forward: Progress, Challenges and Reflections

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  • Juhua Yang

    (Department of Sociology, Minzu University of China, China)

Abstract

While China’s socialist revolution has been credited with improving the status of women, gender inequality remains. Drawing on macro data, this article provides an overview of gender equality in China, focusing on labor force and political participation in the past 70 years, particularly since 1978, the onset of socioeconomic reform. Specifically, the article describes, compares, and examines the progress and challenges that women face in accessing economic opportunities and political resources. We find a more equal relationship between male and female when resources are relatively adequate, but that females are disadvantaged when resources are scarce, for example, including representation in more prestigious occupations, higher income, and political positions. These findings illustrate how inequality is maintained and reproduced, and suggest that despite China’s progressive socialist agenda, its gender revolution remains ‘stalled.’

Suggested Citation

  • Juhua Yang, 2020. "Women in China Moving Forward: Progress, Challenges and Reflections," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(2), pages 23-35.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v8:y:2020:i:2:p:23-35
    DOI: 10.17645/si.v8i2.2690
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xin Meng & Junsen Zhang & Pak-Wai Liu, 2000. "Sectoral gender wage differentials and discrimination in the transitional Chinese economy," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 13(2), pages 331-352.
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