There are over 600 million women living in China, more than in any other nation on the planet. In the past 2 decades, the role of women in business and society in China has undergone significant transformation. This change is deeply rooted in historical family expectations, yet increasingly shaped by modern education, economic participation, government policies and legal reforms. However, women still face various societal and professional challenges, particularly in leadership roles.
Traditional family expectations
Traditional Chinese family expectations have long dictated that women shall prioritize family responsibilities over personal and professional aspirations. Historically, a Chinese woman’s primary role was to manage the household and care for children, often leading to early marriages. This cultural norm continues to put pressure on women, especially when it comes to balancing career ambitions with family duties.
Despite the gradual loosening of family planning policies (remember the ‘one-child policy’ that was in place in China from 1980 to 2016?), most young couples in China still prefer to have only one child, or no child at all. Higher subsidies and longer maternity leave have not solved the problem of women’s employment. Instead, they have led to higher recruitment costs and greater discrimination against women by companies who asked women about marriage and childbearing intentions in their job application.
There exists a term “leftover women” (shèngnǚ), which refers to single urban females older than 27 who are not yet married. This term indicates societal pressure and the stigma attached to women who delay marriage to pursue personal and professional goals. Despite their achievements, these women often face negative perceptions, highlighting the tension between modern individualism and traditional family expectations.
Good education opportunities
China has made significant strides in providing educational opportunities for women. The emphasis on education has enabled many women to excel academically, breaking barriers in various fields. In 2020, the percentage of women pursuing undergraduate and graduate programs in Chinese universities reached 58% and 50.9% respectively, out of the total student population. According to the 2022 data from Zhaopin, a Chinese recruitment platform, Chinese working women are more highly educated than men, with 55.9 % of women having a bachelor’s degree or above, much higher than the 33.6 % for men. Education has become a powerful tool for women to challenge traditional norms and pursue their careers.
The technology sector, particularly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, offers significant opportunities for Chinese women. Chinese companies are increasingly seeking diverse talent to drive innovation. Educational institutions are also encouraging more women to enter STEM disciplines. This trend is helping to bridge the gender gap in these traditionally male-dominated fields and is empowering women to take on high-tech roles.
Women’s participation in the workforce
The participation of women in the workforce has significantly increased in the past two decades. Women in China are no longer confined to low-paying or basic jobs; they are now an integral part of all sectors, from technology to finance. This shift has been driven by economic reforms and the growing necessity for dual-income households.
Women’s economic contributions are increasingly recognized, yet they still face challenges in terms of wage equality and career advancement. According to the 2022 survey on the current situation of Chinese women in the workplace published by Zhaopin, the average monthly salary of Chinese women in the workplace is 8545 yuan. This is 12% lower than the men’s average monthly salary of 9776 yuan.
Government policies and legal reforms
The Chinese government has implemented several policies aimed at promoting gender equality. Laws such as the Marriage Law and the Labor Law protect women’s rights in the workplace and at home. Additionally, the government has launched initiatives to support female entrepreneurs and reduce the gender gap in employment. These policies have been instrumental in fostering a more inclusive environment for women in business and society.
On the other hand, due to fact that for the first time in 60 years, China’s population is shrinking and the average age of China’s working-age population continues to rise, encouraging childbearing has become the new dogma, and this is bringing about a change for China’s working women. A number of cities have introduced complementary measures to encourage childbearing, granting child-care subsidies and new parental leave.
On January 1st, 2023, amendments to China’s Women’s Rights and Interests Protection Law came into effect. The law aims to combat female discrimination, under-representation and better safeguard women’s interests in workplaces. Now employers are prohibited to ask female candidates discriminatory questions (e.g., questions about their marriage and childbearing plans), or require them to undergo per-employment physicals and pregnancy tests. Also recommendations for workplaces are enacted to establish internal mechanisms to increase awareness of preventing sexual harassment and handling such complaints.
Challenges in leadership roles
Despite the above mentioned advancements, women’s representation in leadership positions within Chinese organizations remains lower compared to men’s. The corporate glass ceiling remains a barrier, with women underrepresented in top executive positions. According to the MCSI’s Women on Boards Progress Report 2022, the percentage of board seats held by women in China increased from 11% in 2019 to nearly 15% in 2022. Women occupy 36% of management positions in China – considerably ahead of the Asian average of 28%. Additionally, a report by Grant Thornton stated that “mainland Chinese women topped the world in terms of holding senior business management roles.” The report found that 51% of senior management roles in China are held by women, higher than the US (20%), UK (19%), and Japan (7%) combined.
In conclusion, the landscape for women in Chinese society and business is one of both progress and ongoing challenges. While traditional family expectations and societal pressures still influence women’s roles, educational opportunities, active workforce participation, supportive government policies, and legal reforms are driving positive change.
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