Gender_Inequality

The People’s Republic of China is emerging as a world leader and independent nation, improving the equality, health and economic prosperity of all Chinese citizens. One contentious issue that still faces China is gender inequality. Despite governmental administrative and legal reforms, the inequality between men and women is still widespread on a social, economic, cultural and political level. This issue holds significance and importance for not only women, but for every member of Chinese society as gender equality will bring social, economic and political benefits. In Chinese society, the traditional role of the woman a housekeeper and mother, is still common. Confucian scholars such as Sima Guan illustrated the family as a group of men bound to each other by patriarchal links and ties to property. Women were attached to these men as mothers, wives, daughters and sisters.3 Furthermore, gender distinctions were traditionally essential features of the familial hierarchy. The marriage law of 1950 was promulgated by the Communist Party of China, asserting free choice marriage and the right to divorce. The popular joke in Beijing, “Have you divorced'” exemplifies the increasing divorce rate, which is currently at 10.4%. Although this illustrates the rising independence and freedom of women in China, the traditional image of women is still prevailing. Woman held no right to education before the establishment of the Communist Party in 1949. Women had little access to the workforce outside the household. The Communist Party of China introduced access to education for women, dramatically increasing the percentage of girls attending school, from 20%, to 96.2%. Women now enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men, in receiving education. These rights and opportunities are defined in China’s education law, compulsory education law and vocational educational law. Furthermore, The role of women in the workforce has changed throughout China’s history. In the years before Mao gained power, women were prohibited from official positions of power. Today, women account for 45% of the workforce. However, women enter the workforce facing sexual discrimination, forced contracts and low salaries, according to research released by the Centre for Women’s law and legal services. The survey of 3000 women revealed one in four female job seekers are denied employment because of their gender. This clearly illustrates how gender inequality is still common within the workforce, affecting the economic independence of women. Two clear illustrations of gender inequality within China are female infanticide and human trafficking. Despite the government’s pursue to stop these illegal activities occurring, statistics reveal they are still prevalent issues. Female infanticide has existed before the foundation of The Peoples Republic of China, due to the preference for male babies and low value associated with the birth of females. The number of missing women has seen a sharp upward trend in the 1980s, linked to the “one child policy” introduced in 1979 to stop spiraling population growth. The WHO issued a report claiming “more than 50 million women were estimated to be missing in China because of institutionalized killing and neglect of girls.” As a result of population inadequacies between men and women, (116 males to 100 females born) human trafficking of women has increased: “Since 1990, 64,000 women, 8,000 a year on average, have been rescued by authorities from forced marriages. Additionally, 90 percent of internal trafficking victims are women and children, illustrating inequalities between the sexes. Governmental steps to prevent these illegal activities include The Marriage law and The Women’s Protection law, which prohibit female infanticide, as well as awareness raising programs for human trafficking, in select provinces.8 However, these widespread issues are still having a detrimental affect on the status of women in contemporary society. Gender inequalities in China still exist regardless of the great progress achieved by the Chinese Government. Women’s rights and interests are still inadequate due to ingrained traditional and cultural values and beliefs. This contemporary issue holds great significance for women, and for all Chinese society. Furthermore, this is a significant issue of great importance to the government and people who must work together to reach a satisfactory level of human equality.