Opinion | After decades of struggle, women in China are rewriting their future

The quiet revolution towards upholding women’s rights in China isn’t just about slogans but involves the hard work of families, educators and policymakers

Reading Time:3 minutes

Women take a selfie while attending a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on October 1. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 5:30am, 15 Oct 2025

Every Lunar New Year, the urban professional woman – let’s call her Tracy – returns to her rural hometown, where she quickly drops her city identity for her simple rural name Cuihua, helping her family prepare the holiday meal.

Funny before-and-after pictures emphasising the contrast between sleek blazers and comfortable pyjamas have captivated Chinese social media users. But these social media memes mask a deeper question. How does “Cuihua” become “Tracy”?

Her journey involves more than a change of name; it encompasses the dramatic rise of Chinese women’s social status driven by personal resilience, family support and a nationwide campaign.

Greater awareness of gender equality didn’t happen overnight. Overcoming deep-rooted prejudices requires more than slogans like “women hold up half the sky”.

One of the first laws China introduced after the founding of the People’s Republic was the Marriage Law. Enacted in 1950, it opened with a commitment to “equal rights for men and women”.

In 1995, China hosted the Fourth World Conference on Women. At the conference, 189 governments adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a milestone in global gender equality. Adhering to gender equality and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women and children have been included in the reports of the 18th, 19th and 20th Communist Party national congresses.

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